Criteria for Beaches BLUE FLAG CANADA blueflag.ca Canadian operator of Blue Flag The Blue Flag is an internationally recognized and respected eco-label that is awarded annually to beaches and marinas that meet strict criteria. The Blue Flag program was founded in 1987 and is run internationally by the Foundation for Environmental and Services. The criteria are further categorized Education (FEE), a non-profit as either imperative or guideline. Imperative criteria must be complied with in order for a beach organization based in Denmark. to be awarded a Blue Flag. Guideline criteria are There are currently more than 4,000 strongly encouraged, but are not mandatory. Blue Flags flying in 48 countries. A beach may be eligible for Blue Flag accredita- tion if it is a designated swimming area, is open Canada’s National Operator of the to the general public and has the necessary fa- Blue Flag program is Environmental cilities and services to comply with the Blue Flag criteria. Before applying for the Blue Flag award, Defence, a national environmental a beach must undergo a feasibility study. Blue charity. In 2014, Blue Flags were Flag Canada will assess the beach and facilities, awarded to 24 beaches and four and provide recommendations for how condi- tions can be improved. These recommendations marinas across the country. must be agreed upon by the beach operator, and the beach becomes a Blue Flag Candidate. Once What makes the Blue Flag program so unique all of the criteria have been met, the beach is eli- and successful is its holistic nature. The standards gible to apply for Blue Flag accreditation. were developed to ensure that Blue Flag Applications are assessed each February by a beaches are not only clean and environmentally national jury, made up of independent experts sustainable, but provide the facilities and in the different categories of criteria. Successful services that tourists around the world look for. applications are forwarded to the international It is for this reason that the Blue Flag program jury. This process ensures that beaches contin- is embraced by the World Health Organization, ue to meet the same high standards from year the World Tourism Organization, and the United to year. Blue Flag Canada also performs control Nations Environmental Programme. visits during the beach season in order to make The Blue Flag criteria are organized into four certain that all criteria are being met. This is crit- main categories: Water Quality, Environmental ical to ensure that all awarded beaches uphold Management, Environmental Education and Safety the integrity of the program. 2 Blue Flag Canada Criteria for Beaches Blue Flag Criteria for Beaches ENVIRONMENTAL 15 The beach must be clean. (pg. 11) EDUCATION AND 16 Seaweed or natural debris should be left on INFORMATION the beach. (pg. 11) 17 Garbage bins must be available at the beach in 1 Information about the Blue Flag program must adequate numbers and they must be regularly be displayed. (pg. 4) maintained. (pg. 12) 2 Environmental education initiatives must be 18 Recycling bins must be available at the offered and promoted to beach users. (pg. 5) beach. (pg. 12) 3 Information about recreational water quality 19 An adequate number of toilet or restroom must be displayed. (pg. 5) facilities must be provided. (pg. 12) 4 Information relating to the local ecosystem 20 The restroom facilities must be kept clean. (pg. 13) must be displayed. (pg. 6) 21 The toilet or restroom facilities must have 5 A map of the beach indicating different facilities controlled sewage disposal. (pg. 13) must be displayed. (pg. 6) 22 Camping, driving and dumping are prohibited 6 A code of conduct that reflects appropriate on the beach. (pg. 13) laws governing the use of the beach and 23 Domestic animals must be prohibited from surrounding areas must be displayed. (pg. 6) beach. (pg. 13) 24 All buildings and beach equipment must be properly maintained. (pg. 14) 25 Marine and freshwater sensitive habitats (such WATER QUALITY as coral reefs or sea grass beds) in the vicinity of the beach must be monitored. (pg. 14) 26 A sustainable means of transportation should be promoted in the beach area. (pg. 14) 7 The beach must fully comply with the water quality sampling and frequency requirements. (pg. 7) 8 The beach must fully comply with the standards and requirements for water quality analysis. (pg. 8) 9 No industrial, wastewater or sewage-related SAFETY AND SERVICES discharges should affect the beach area. (pg. 9) 10 The beach must comply with the Blue Flag requirements for the microbiological 27 Appropriate public safety control measures parameter Escherichia coli (E.coli) and intestinal must be implemented. (pg. 15) enterococci (streptococci). (pg. 9) 28 First aid equipment must be available on the 11 The beach must comply with the Blue Flag beach. (pg. 16) requirements for the following physical and 29 Emergency plans to cope with pollution risks chemical parameters. (pg. 9) must be in place. (pg. 16) 30 There must be management of different users and uses of the beach so as to prevent conflicts and accidents. (pg. 17) ENVIRONMENTAL 31 There must be safety measures in place to MANAGEMENT protect users of the beach. (pg. 17) 32 A supply of drinking water should be available at the beach. (pg. 18) 12 The local authority/beach operator must establish a beach management committee. (pg. 10) 33 At least one Blue Flag beach in each municipality must have access and facilities 13 The local authority/beach operator must comply with all regulations affecting the provided for the physically disabled. (pg. 18) location and operation of the beach. (pg. 10) 14 Sensitive areas must be managed accordingly. (pg. 11) blueflag.ca 3 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION 1 Information about the Blue Flag program must be displayed. Imperative Blue Flag Information Board formation board from scratch, and ensures that Once awarded a Blue Flag, your beach must the information board contains the following have a Blue Flag information board put in place necessary information: by the beginning of the bathing season. The 1 Blue flag logo information board tells visitors about the Blue 2 Name of the beach Flag program, what your community is doing to meet the criteria, and what your beach has to 3 Information about the Blue Flag program offer. It points out where people can find key fa- 4 Contact information for the local, cilities and services like washrooms and first aid, national and international Blue Flag and tells people who they can contact for any representatives questions or concerns. The information board is 5 Information about bathing water quality also used to describe the local ecosystem, ad- 6 Code of conduct vertise upcoming environmental education ac- tivities and post the latest water quality results. 7 Information about the local environment 8 Map of the beach indicating location of You want your information board to be seen, facilities so it is a good idea to situate it at a point of 9 Safety precautions entry or another high-traffic location. For long beaches, there should be an information board 10 Explanation of the four categories of the in place at least every 500 metres. Blue Flag criteria 11 Length of the bathing season at your Blue Flag Canada has a Blue Flag information beach board template which can be adapted to incor- porate local information. This template saves 12 Information about environmental education Blue Flag communities from designing an in- activities 4 Blue Flag Canada Criteria for Beaches 2 Environmental education initiatives must be offered and promoted to beach users. Imperative The community must offer at least five envi- Blue Flag Canada encourages ronmental education initiatives during the Blue Flag season. At least some of the initiatives partnerships with local organizations, should be provided at the beach and have a such as “Friends of” groups, direct focus on the coastal environment. These environmental NGOs, conservation initiatives must be promoted at the beach. authorities, naturalist clubs or other It is not necessary for the applicant to organize community groups. all of the environmental education initiatives. Blue Flag Canada encourages partnerships with local organizations, such as “Friends of” groups, 3 Training activities: Training sessions for environmental NGOs, conservation authorities, teachers, municipal staff, lifeguards, naturalist clubs or other community groups. En- cleaners, summers students, etc. vironmental education can also be incorporat- 4 Publishing and media: The production ed into community events, by setting up a Blue of leaflets, brochures, stickers, t-shirts, Flag information table and talking to the public bags, interpretive signage, school and about the program and relevant environmental municipal newsletters, books, posters, radio issues. broadcasts, etc. Environmental education initiatives can take 5 Blue Flag Environmental Information many forms, and can be divided into the follow- Centre: It is strongly recommended ing categories: that Blue Flag beaches have an Environmental Education Centre where Passive participation: Exhibits, films, 1 specific information about Blue Flag and presentations, slide shows, conferences, environmental issues can be provided. A debates, etc. common meeting area can be used as 2 Active participation: Guided tours, an information centre, so long as it offers educational games, beach cleanup days, activities and exhibitions and provides photography or art contests, “adopt a environmental information. The centre beach” projects, eco-scavenger hunts, should be open to and have information for environmental monitoring programs, etc. the general public, not just school children. 3 Information about recreational water quality must be displayed. Imperative People often seek out Blue Flag beaches be- Results can also be posted on a sandwich cause they are associated with excellent water board, whiteboard or bulletin board located at quality, so it is important that the public can lifeguard stations or other facilities.