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FEE's Blue Flag criteria include standards for quality, safety, environmental education and information, the provision of services, and generalenvironmental management. The Blue Flag is hence sought as an indication of high environmental and quality standards.[2]
Certificates, which FEE refers to as awards, are issued on an annual basis to beaches and marinas of FEE membercountries by the Blue Flag international jury.[3][4] For a beach to be awarded, it must meet at least thirty of the Blue Flag's criteria spanning four categories. Meanwhile, for a marina to be awarded, it must meet at least thirty-eight criteria spanning six categories.[4] The awards are announced yearly on 5 June forEurope,Canada,Morocco,Tunisia, and other countries in a similar geographic location, and on 1 November for theCaribbean,New Zealand,South Africa, and other countries in thesouthern hemisphere.[citation needed]
As a result of the 2024 award cycle, a total of 5,010 Blue Flags are waving around the world.Spain was the most awarded country, with a total of 747 Blue Flags.[5]
The table below lists the total number of Blue Flags (including beaches, marinas, and boats) in each country as a result of the 2024 awards cycle (with a few countries listed containing only information from the 2015 awards cycle).[5]
The Blue Flag was inspired by the "Message to the Sea" campaign (initiated by Marcel Clébant), where students wrote messages and put them inside bottles. These were dropped in theAtlantic Ocean with the intent of washing up onshore on different beaches and increasing awareness of human action harming the oceans. (The currentlogo of the Blue Flag evolved from the logo of the "Message to the Sea" campaign, with the exception that it doesn't include the image of a bottle.[6][7])
The Blue Flag was then officially created inFrance in 1985. It started as a pilot scheme from the Office of the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe (Office français de la Fondation pour l'Education à l'Environnement en Europe) where French coastal municipalities were awarded the Blue Flag on the basis of criteria covering sewage treatment and bathing water quality.[8] Eleven French municipalities got the award in 1985.[9]
1987 was the "European Year of the Environment" and theEuropean Commission was responsible for developing the European Community activities of that year. The Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe (FEEE) presented the concept of the Blue Flag to the commission, and it was agreed to launch the Blue Flag Programme as one of several "European Year of the Environment" activities in the Community.[10] The European Commission co-sponsored the Blue Flag for the next 11 years.[7]
The concept of the Blue Flag was developed on the European level to include other areas of environmental management, such aswaste management and coastal planning and protection. Besides beaches, marinas also became eligible for the Blue Flag. In 1987, 244 beaches and 208 marinas from ten countries were awarded the Blue Flag.[11]
Many challenges arose from the advertisement of Blue Flags during this time. For example, some popular beaches would not have been eligible for the Blue Flag certification, leading to a questioning of its criteria and motives. However, some lesser-known locations gained attention for following the Blue Flag's criteria.[7]
There have been increases in the numbers of Blue Flags awarded each year. The criteria have during these years been changed to more strict criteria. As an example, in 1992 the Programme started using the restrictive guideline values in the EEC Bathing Water Directive as imperative criteria, and this was also the year where all Blue Flag criteria became the same in all participating countries.
In 2001, FEEE rules were changed to allow non-European national organizations, sharing the objectives of FEEE, to become members, and changed its name by dropping Europe from its name, becoming the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).[9]
Several organizations and authorities outside the European Union have joined FEE. In 2001, South Africa and several Caribbean countries joined.[9] FEE has been cooperating withUNEP andUNWTO on extending the Programme to areas outside Europe. South Africa, Canada, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand and four countries in the Caribbean region are members of FEE. Aruba and Brazil are currently in the pilot phase of the Programme and Jordan, Macedonia, Turks & Caicos Islands, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates have started the implementation of the Blue Flag Programme.
FEE standards allow for regional variations in beach criteria to reflect specific environmental conditions of a region. As of 2006 an international set of criteria is being used with some variations.
Extension of the award to sustainable boating tourism operators
In 2016, Blue Flag extended its programmed boat-based tourism activities like nature watching (whale watching,bird watching,cage diving, etc.), recreationalfishing, diving, and crewed charter tours. Certified tour operators have to comply with criteria regarding the sustainable operation of their boats and their business as a whole.
There are six criterias that Blue Flag beaches must adhere to that deal with toenvironmental education and information. For one, details about the Blue Flag Program must be visible. Secondly, a minimum of five environmental education events should be provided. Next, information about the water quality of the ocean must be presented. Additionally, details on the surrounding ecosystem and nearby cultural locations. Furthermore, a map that lays out the beach facilities should be exhibited. Finally, acode of conduct for the area has to be visible.[12]
There are five criterias Blue Flag beaches must meet regarding water quality. One is that samples must be taken according to the Blue Flag's requirements. Additionally, the beach must meet the Blue Flag's requisites for water quality. Also, no industrial orsewage waste can influence in the area. To continue, the beach must have less than a certain number of escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci. Finally, the beach has to be free of litter and pollution.[12]
A beach management committee must be established to be in charge of instituting environmental management systems and conduct regular environmental audits of the beach facility
The beach must comply with all regulations affecting the location and operation of the beach (coastal zone planning and environmental legislation)
The beach must be clean
Waste disposal bins/receptacles must be available on/by the beach in adequate numbers, regularly maintained and emptied
Facilities for receiving recyclable waste materials must be available on/by the beach
Production of an environmental policy and plan at the marina. The plan should include references to water, waste and energy consumption, health and safety issues, and the use of environmentally sound products when available.
Adequate and properly identified and segregated containers for the storage of hazardous wastes (paints,solvents, boat scrapings,antifouling agents, batteries,waste oil, flares). The wastes should be handled by a licensed contractor and disposed of at a licensed facility for hazardous waste.
Adequate and well managedlitter bins and/or garbage containers. The wastes should be handled by a licensed contractor and disposed of by a licensed facility.
The marina has facilities for receivingrecyclable waste materials, such as bottles, cans, paper, plastic, organic material, etc.
Bilge water pumping facilities are present in the marina.
Toilet pumping facilities are present in the marina.
All buildings and equipment must be properly maintained and in compliance with national legislation. The marina must be in a good integration with the surrounding natural and built environment.
Adequate, clean and well sign-posted sanitary facilities, including washing facilities and drinking water. Controlled sewage disposal to a licensed sewage treatment.
If the marina has boat repairing and washing areas, no pollution must enter the sewage system, marina land and water or the natural surroundings.
Promotion of sustainable transportation.
No parking/driving in the marina, unless in specific designated areas.
Information to relevant local environmental phenomena, local ecosystems and sensitive areas in the surrounding environment
Information about the Blue Flag programme
Code of conduct for passengers which includes the adequate disposal of litter, smoking policy on board, safety measures and the adequate behaviour during an encounter with wild animals
At least one environmental education activity has to be offered within the operating season
It is recommended to establish a management committee with responsibility for instituting environmental management systems and conducting regular environmental audits
Each tour operator has to have an environmental policy and an environmental plan
All regulations pertaining to the location and the operation of the boats have to be complied with
Use of adequate, properly identified and segregated containers for the storage of hazardous wastes
Use of adequate litter bins, including recycling bins
Correct disposal of all wastes produced by the tourists and the tour operator
Use of recyclable products, biodegradable materials and environmentally friendly toiletries and cleaning products
Smoking should be prohibited on the boats
Correct treatment of bilge water
Provision of adequate sanitary facilities with correct sewage disposal
Repair and paint works on the boats must be limited to specifically designated areas
Promotion of sustainable means of transportation from and to the boats
Report of accidents that might cause environmental damages
Speed and engine maintenance of the boats must be aimed at maximising energy efficiency and minimising pollution
Environmentally friendly anchoring
Correct disposal of boats that have reached the end of their life service
Any wildlife must be approached at a slow speed and in a manner that allows the animal(s) to evaluate the situation. They must not be encircled, trapped or chased
Special precaution must be taken in the vicinity of breeding animals. Young animals must not be separated from their group
When in the direct vicinity of any wildlife, noise must be reduced to a minimum and the engine should be put into neutral whenever appropriate
No animals or plants are to be touched or collected
Tourists and employees must not feed the animals
If there are any signs of disturbance, the boat must increase its distance from the animals
The tour operator should be open to cooperation with research institutions. The company's vessel might function as a research platform, and collected data of wildlife sightings should be made available to researchers
Injured, entangled, stranded or dead animals must be reported to the local authorities
Additional criteria for specific wildlife-based activities
The criteria presented above apply to all tour operators that want to be awarded the Blue Flag. In addition, tour operators that offer whale watching, bird watching, seal watching, cage diving, recreational fishing and diving have to comply with additional criteria for the respective activity. These criteria are tailored to the different tourist experiences and take into account the specific environmental issues related to them. They include for example approach distances to different animal species, the correct use of equipment and the humane handling of animals that are caught during recreational fishing tours.
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