For another year three beaches in Gozo, ir-Ramla l’Hamra, Ħondoq ir-Rummien and Marsalforn, have again obtained the Blue Flag. This means that those beaches have reached high standards in four main categories, that of water quality, environmental management, environmental education, and beach safety.
The Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri said that, “For another year we managed to keep and get three Blue Flags for the island of Gozo. I thank the Beach Management Team under the supervision of the Intervention Team within the Ministry for Gozo who work hard with the aim of maintaining these three Blue Flags and if possible, we will add new beaches to the list. In fact, this year the Ministry applied for Xwejni beach as a quality beach with plans to obtain the Blue Flag in the coming years.”
He stated that the Blue Flag is not simply a flag but through this scrutiny they are continuing to strengthen Gozo as an island that offers quality and excellence to all those who visit it. In addition to the positive comments made by the jury that gave the Blue Flag Award to these beaches, they highly praised the activities that took place last season in these same beaches.
It was explained that among the many works that are done throughout the year, this year an investment was made in a new lifeguard tower for Marsalforn beach and new facilities were added in Xwejni beach apart from the previous facilities in Ramla l’Hamra beach and Hondoq ir-Rumien. In fact, in Xwejni Beach new information boards have been added, there is a new swimming area for better health and safety measures, in the coming days a new parking lot will be made for disabled people and there are several planned educational activities in this area. In addition, there are plans to have a lifeguard service in the near future.
Minister Clint Camilleri reiterated that he committed to continue improving the beaches and encouraged the public to observe the regulations and keep the beaches clean. “Above all, the beaches of our island are essential for the summer tourist product,” concluded Minister Camilleri.
Present for this conference was also the CEO of Nature Trust Malta Vince Attard. During the same activity, Nature Trust released back into the sea the four-year-old turtle Claudette which has recovered from a wound caused by a fishing hook.
Photos: MGOZ
