Our beaches are some of the best in the world and that’s why they received Blue Flag status again.
The Blue Flag beaches have to meet strict international standards for cleanliness and environmental management.
In our region, Blue Flags will fly at the Grand Bend Beach, Bayfield Main Beach, Kincardine’s Station Beach, Sauble Beach, Little River Beach Park on Georgian Bay in the Town of the Blue Mountains; Northwinds Beach Park on Georgian Bay in the Town of the Blue Mountains; and Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.
Noticeably absent from the list is Goderich’s Rotary Cove Beach, which previously had Blue Flag status.
Blue Flag Coordinator for Environmental Defence Spokesperson Aden Grovewhite says they are participating with Blue Flag Candidate status, but that just means they could receive full certification in future summers.
He says it’s a bird problem in Goderich and their water quality didn’t meet Blue Flag regulations.
Meanwhile — three marinas in our region will also fly Blue Flags this summer and they’re all on Lake Huron.
Grovewhite says they include the Bluewater Marina in Bayfield; Grand Bend Marina; and Port Franks Marina.
This summer, a total of 3650 beaches and marinas are certified under the Blue Flag program in 41 countries — sixteen beaches are in Ontario.
