Beach Newsletter 2015

Transcription

1 Beach Newsletter 2015 Malta

2 Beach News 2015 FIFTEEN beaches are being managed this summer on the Maltese Islands with Pretty Bay Birżebbuġa receiving full beach management and services. Pilot projects aspiring for future awards include beach management on Ta Fajtata Rocky Beach at Marsascala, Marsalforn Bay, Ħondoq ir-rummien in Gozo and Blue Lagoon in Comino. Ta Fajtata Beach is a rocky stretch close to St Thomas Bay. It has been furnished with picnic tables, open air Gymnasium and kids play areas. Toilets, railings and walkways have been upgraded and the beach is accessible with ramps that lead to the rocky shore.

3 Golden Bay is applying for a full Blue Flag status for Beach management has repeatedly reached 100% of the Blue Flag criteria and its sand dunes and surrounding environment are on the pathway to recovery. Two, MTA managed beaches received full refurbishment including sand recharge. The Product Development Directorate imported and distributed 5,300 tons of sand at St. George s Bay and Bugibba Perched Beach. The sand is ground granite and was imported from Jordan. Feedback from beach users was positive. Lifeguard Operations Lifeguard operations will see some changes since they have been awarded to different operators. New safety flags and a colour coding system are in place, following the new International Life Saving Federation Guidelines as indicated here. The Malta Red Cross, Socjeta` Nazzjonali tas-salvatagg and the Emergency Response Rescue Corps (ERRC) have been trusted with the safety issues of the Islands beaches.

4 BLUE FLAG AWARDS Another record for Malta with 9 Blue Flags and a Beach of Quality. Five Blue Flag Awards have been given to beaches managed by MTA namely; St. George s Bay, Buġibba Perched Beach, Qawra Point, Fond Għadir Rocky Shore and Mellieħa Bay. Westin Dragonara Resort Beach has received the prestigious Blue Flag Status for the first time this year. This is the second private beach being awarded a quality status after Paradise Bay Resort Hotel s private lido achieved it for the first time in Golden Bay received the Beach of Quality Award and is aspiring for a Blue Flag next year. Two Blue Flag Awards for Gaia Foundation s managed beaches Għajn Tuffieħa Bay in Mġarr and Ramla l-ħamra on Gozo retained both Blue Flags for sustainable management.

5 Blue Flag Environmental Educational Activities The Beach Unit of the MTA organises environmental and educational activities on every beach, around the coast and within venues related to the environment. Activities include snorkeling, evening walks, bird watching, nature photography, astronomy, clay and pottery, nature exhibitions, games related to the environment, demonstrations on marine animals and much more. Other one-off activities for this year include strawberry picking, swimming in the tuna cages, a visit and a guided tour to St. Paul s Islands, a visit to the Malta s National Aquarium and a photographic competition; Seaside Visions is being organised specifically for MTA and Ministry for Tourism staff and their children. If interested in joining any of the activities, you can send an e mail on pauline.dingli@visitmalta.com

6 A set of 24 new banners were installed at St. George s Bay. The theme of the banners is Conservation and Sustainable use of the Coast. Photos include flora, fauna and avifauna of the Maltese Islands amongst others. Continuous awareness campaigns about litter free beaches, waste separation on the beach and butts off the sand will persist again this year. Beach Management Unit Product Development Directorate Malta Tourism Authority Auberge D Italie 229 Merchants Street Valletta VLT