Algarve continues to be the Portuguese region with more blue flags, the European indication for beaches of Excellence
The blue flag Programme is the most important environmental certification that a beach can conquer in the world. Created in 1987, the label is awarded by the Danish Foundation for Environmental Education – Fee (Foundation for environmental education), an entity accredited by the UN and Unesco to assess bathing beaches and marinas worldwide.
The Algarve has a total of 88 blue flags in 2019, totaling 84 beaches and four marinas awarded in 13 counties, the Blue Flag Association of Europe has announced today.
The Algarve region continues to be the most awarded zone of the country, although exhibit 1 less than in 2018, after the beach of Pintadinho in Lagoa had lost its distinction.
In addition to the 84 distinguished bathing areas, the marines Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira and Vilamoura also received the award.
Albufeira is the county with more distinctions, a total of 24, followed by Loulé, includes Vilamoura, Quarteira, Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago and Vila do Bispo, both with 11.
Over the next few months, 125 environmental education activities will take place in the 88 award-winning areas. The Algarve also has two Blue Centers in Faro and Loulé.
In 2019, the challenge of the Blue Flag Program is to “continue to raise awareness of the fact that marine litter originates from terrestrial activities, the consequences of human behavior and the role of rivers as a bridge between land and sea.”
“The path goes through environmental education and the adoption of more rational and efficient behaviors in the use of resources. An education for conservation, protection and better management, which begins in our rivers and ends at sea. An education by a low-carbon society, “says the ABAE.