GEORGE NEWS - On Wednesday 8 December, George Municipality proudly hoisted a Blue Flag at Wilderness Beach and a Pilot Blue Flag at Herold's Bay. Wilderness Beach has full Blue Flag status while Victoria Bay and Herold's Bay both gained Pilot status. 

Blue Flag is an international coastal management programme that accredits beaches that meet standards of excellence in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and information as well as safety and services. 

In South Africa the programme is implemented by the Wildlife Environmental Society of South Africa (Wessa).

Following heavy rains on Monday 6 December and flash floods of Monday 22 November, the cleansing teams have been working non-stop every day to remove debris from the beaches. The teams are still working at Victoria Bay.

Blue Flag status offers many benefits including improved tourism facilities, enhanced management of coastal ecosystems, increased awareness of the coast and capacity building of coastal municipalities, as well as carrying significant international merit.

The Blue Flag season runs from 1 December 2021 to 31 January 2022. Compliance includes high standards of water quality monitoring, public safety and lifeguard services, and well-maintained coastal amenities. 

South Africa has participated in the Blue Flag programme since 2001.

Teams are still clearing Wilderness beach of debris after heavy rainfall on Monday 22 November.

Acting supervisor at Wilderness Beach, Virgil Carolus (far right) with EPWP employees celebrate the hoisting of the Blue Flag at Wilderness beach.

Municipal cleaning crews cleaned the beach at Wilderness and Leentjiesklip until late on Tuesday 7 December. 

Teams are still clearing Victoria Bay beach of debris after heavy rainfall on Monday before the Pilot Blue Flag can be hoisted at the beach.

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