Blue Flags awarded to three Majorcan beaches

PALMA
THE European Foundation for Environmental Education yesterday gave blue flags to the Playa de Palma, Cala Major and Cala Estancia for the good quality of its sea water.

Palma council was awarded the prize for excellence with regard to having lifeguards patrolling the beaches, sea rescue and first aid on the beaches of Palma.

The presentation, which took place at Balneario 7 in Arenal, was attended by the councillor for the Environment, Cristina Cerdo, who was charged with raising the flag.

She was surrounded by a great many bathers and members of the Red Cross, who organise the lifeguard patrols in the municipality.
Cerdo said that it was “a proud moment” for the council to receive these flags and added that the Environment department would work to improve “the quality of life and the well being of all citizens and tourists”. She also announced that there would be initiatives put in place to maintain the quality of the sea water “which is excellent”.

According to Cerdo, her department will work to improve the awareness of children and adults about the cleanliness of the beaches, starting recycling projects “because it is a job which is necessary”.

At the same time, Cerdo took advantage of the occasion to mention “the social staff and especially the Red Cross” because, according to her, their daily work “improves the health and well being of all those who come to the beaches in the area. Congratulations to all of them”, she said.

The Blue Flag was created in 1987 by the European Foundation for Environmental Education, with the sponsorship of the European Community and for the European Year of the Environment, with the aim of rewarding environmental quality and activities which promote awareness of subjects relevant to the environment.

With regard to this, the criteria for the awarding of the Blue Flag demand a high level of quality in the sea water as well as biological and environmental requirements.

Emergency plans are also taken into account, as are the levels of contamination from human activities, regular cleaning and access to the beaches, amongst other things.

So, in the municipality of Palma, the Blue Flag has been awarded to the Playa de Palma during the period from 1988 to 1999, and again in the period from 2002 to 2007.

Cala Estancia has had a Blue Flag since 2005.
However, Cala Major was awarded the Blue Flag for the first time last year.