Some 200 Dutch beaches and marinas awarded Blue Flag for clean coasts

Some 200 locations in the Netherlands were given a Blue Flag, an international environmental label for clean beaches and clean marinas. The flags were given to 143 harbors, 50 beaches, and seven inland beaches on Thursday. The flags were awarded in IJsselstein, where Utrecht King's Commissioner Hans Oosters handed them out.

The initiative was implemented in the Netherlands in the late 1980s, and is meant to structurally involve governments, business owners, and outdoors enthusiasts in the goals related to clean and safe water, beautiful nature, and a healthy environment.

The certificate was given to 195 locations last year, six more than the previous year.

Coordinator Erik van Dijk of Blauwe Vlag Nederland has seen an increase in companies trying to meet the criteria on environment and sustainability, information and education, maintenance and provision, and safety. “It seems to be a slow growth, but marinas and beach municipalities really have to work to meet the criteria.”

Van Dijk emphasized that the criteria and the yearly controls from the Foundation for Environmental Education are very strict. Blauwe Vlag implements the Blue Flag program in the Netherlands.

The increase in the number of Blue Flags awarded is mainly due to the presence of 13 new marinas in the country.