Europe has thousands of kilometers of coastline, much of it suitable for bathing. However, not all with the same success. To highlight the best places to enjoy the sea, the Blue Flags were created in order to differentiate the best beaches Of each country. But, why is this distinction awarded and which are the Dénia beaches with a Blue Flag?
What are the Blue Flags?
The Blue Flag is a badge that was created in 1985 in France. However, it had little to do with what it is today, since it was born as a national award for ships and ports. Of course, from the beginning the commitment to care for and protect the marine environment was valued.
It was not until two years later, in 1987, that he arrived in Spain (at the same time as in Denmark and Portugal), already serving to distinguish beaches and marinas. The idea spread and that same year it was decided to extend the project to all the coastal countries of Europe.
The international leap occurred in 2001, when South Africa began to award the distinction, ceasing to be a European project to become a global one. Before 2005 it was already present on five continents. Today Blue Flags can be found in 47 countries around the world.
Blue flag beaches in Dénia
In this summer season, in 2023, there are five Dénia beaches that have Blue Flags:
What requirements does a beach have to have?
To get a Blue Flag you have to meet some requirements or criteria of the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education), which are slightly different depending on whether it is a beach or a marina. The criteria to achieve a Blue Flag on a beach are divided into four blocks:
- Information and Environmental Education: The beach must be well signposted, especially the protected areas or areas of environmental interest. Similarly, the municipality must commit to carrying out five environmental education activities per year.
- Water quality: Periodic samples are carried out during the previous season to verify that its quality is excellent. In addition, the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive must be complied with.
- Environmental management: It must comply with all legislation, the Coastal Law in particular, and it must be a clean point, with proper waste management and selective collection. Similarly, the beach must have public toilets and, at least one per municipality, must be adapted for people with reduced mobility.
- Security and Services: It is essential that access to the beach is simple and that it has a rescue service, surveillance and first aid.
Marinas with a blue flag in Dénia
In Dénia there are two marinas that achieve the Blue Flag in 2023:
- Marina de Denia
- Yacht Club
What must a marina comply with?
The criteria in marinas are almost identical, except that there is no Water Quality block, and there are no such checks. In addition, it is required that as security they have rescue and fire-fighting equipment.
Who chooses the Blue Flags?
In Spain, the jury that awards the Blue Flag is as follows:
- Ministry of Environment
- Department of Environmental Health
- Department of Climate Change and Rural Development
- Ministry of Tourism and Territory Planning
- Department of Sustainability and Territory
- Ministry of Nature Conservation
- Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare
- Ministry for Ecological Transition
- ONCE Foundation
- MAPFRE Foundation
- Spanish Emergency Society
- Coastal Ecology Institute
- Spanish Federation of Sports Port Associations
- Spanish Confederation of Yacht Club Associations
- Experts in nautical, environmental education, lifeguard, accessibility and communication (PLAYEA)
- ADEAC inspectors
When are they given?
The date on which the beaches and marinas that achieve the Blue Flag that year are published is not always the same. However, it is usually before the summer season.
In 2023, the press conference with the official announcement was held the first week of May, delivering the flags to the municipalities before July 1.
