Two new beaches appear among the labeled beaches: Marina Smir Est and Al Minaa, indicated the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection in a press release received by MAP on Wednesday.
With 28 beaches, Morocco occupies first place in the Arab world and second in Africa, specifies the press release, stressing that this is a “notable progression” compared to summer 2021 (26 beaches and one marina) and the summer of 2020, marked by the health constraints of Covid-19.
The Atlantic coast has 22 labeled beaches while the Mediterranean coast includes eight beaches and two marinas, the same source said.
In the Marinas category, Marina Smir joined that of Saidia this year. It should be remembered that the marina has been awarded the Blue Flag four years ago and has led the way in this demanding labeling, which requires compliance with 26 criteria in six categories, such as the quality of the water in the port area, information and communication and especially waste treatment.
This last criterion requires the treatment of waste liquids, diesel, household waste from boats, the construction of a storage room for dangerous products before their evacuation to a treatment company, continues the same source.
According to the same source, 46 beaches had applied for this label recognized by summer visitors, but only 28 were able to meet these demanding criteria.
The label is awarded to municipalities which are responsible for the complete management of the beaches within their scope: maintenance, cleanliness, equipment, security, training, awareness, accessibility.
In this considerable effort, they are accompanied by the Foundation’s Clean Beaches program and supported by the General Directorate of Local Authorities and the ministerial departments concerned.
Territorial managers are trained in beach management and management and environmental awareness tools are made available to them to enable them to welcome summer visitors in the best conditions, according to the press release.
The Foundation evaluates applications for the Blue Flag and organizes unannounced checks during the summer to ensure compliance with all the criteria of the label awarded for the season.
The municipalities are finally supported by the General Directorate of Local Authorities and economic partners mobilized by the Foundation as part of the Clean Beaches program who provide them with managerial skills and financial support, explained the Foundation.
More than a hundred beaches are registered with Clean Beaches for 2022. The Blue Flag label created by FEE in 1987, celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2022. This most important eco-label for beaches in the world is now displayed on 4,194 beaches and 732 marinas in 48 countries in Europe, Africa, America or the Caribbean or Pacific. It is awarded according to several criteria, namely quality of bathing water, information, environmental awareness and education, health and safety and planning and management.
In Morocco, the Blue Flag ecolabel was introduced by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection in 2002 as part of its Clean Beaches program. Thanks to its long-term support work for coastal communities, the Foundation has continued to develop its program and increase its efforts to provide environmental education and ensure the protection of the marine environment. and human health, improve the accessibility of beaches and secure them, concludes the press release.