THIS YEAR’S list of Blue Flag spots will be announced on June 5, upping the number of safe beaches on the island to over 40, the Cyprus Marine Environmental Protection Association (CYMEPA) said yesterday.
Cyprus currently has 39 Blue Flag beaches, which have met the 27 different criteria needed to fly the EU quality symbol. CYMEPA’s Michael Ierides said that the number was likely to rise to over 40 when the awards are announced next week.
One of the island’s beaches will not be allowed to fly the flag for the next 12 months. Ierides said that because work is being carried out at Coral Beach in Peyia, it does not fulfil the criteria. The flag will be given back as and when the work is done and the beach returned to its former condition. Applicants must apply for their Blue Flag on an annual basis.
Ierides said that what was most important for them is that the main condition – clean bathing water – has been passed on to the government since Cyprus joined the EU on May 1. CYMEPA has been responsible for checking on all 27 criteria for the Blue Flag beaches since the scheme was introduced in Cyprus in 1995. He said that during the bathing season water samples have to be taken every two weeks.
“This is now the government’s obligation,” said Ierides adding that the responsibility now was not just to check the Blue Flag beaches, but all bathing areas. “We have been fighting an uphill battle for over six years and now if the government does not do it they will be fined by the EU.”
CYMEPA will still have the responsibility to check on the other 26 criteria, which include, beach area management, safety and environmental education and information, Ierides said.
Last year Cyprus won 39 Blue Flags, and was one of 24 countries in Europe and Africa to receive some of the 2,900 awards handed out by the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE).
Following its first year the scheme’s operation in Cyprus, the island managed to garner 11 Blue Flags. By the year 2000 this had risen to 29 and last year to 39.
The Blue Flag awards provide an incentive for local authorities to maintain beaches and upgrade their quality every year and also contribute to the promotion of Cypriot beaches abroad. Foreign tour operators often specifically ask if an area has a Blue Flag.
The 39 Blue Flag beaches are:
Pernera, Vryssi, Protaras in Paralimni; Kermia, Ammos tou Kambouri, Glyki Nero, Pantachou, Katsarka, Vathia Gonia, Nissi, Nissi Bay, Lanta, Makronissos and Ayia Thekla in Ayia Napa; Giannathes in Voroklini; Phinikoudes and McKenzie in Larnaca; Kalymnos Beach at Pentakomo; Panagies/Aoratoi at Pyrgos; Santa Barbara, Loures, Vouppa, Aphrodite, Onisilos, Armonia and Castella at Ayios Tychonas; Pissouri beach at Pissouri; Municipal Beach at Yeroskipou; Pachyammos, Vrysoudia A and B, Alykes, Municipal Baths and Pharos in Paphos; Coral Beach, Laourou at Pegeia and the Municipal and Dasoudi beaches at Polis Chysochous.
