MOROCCO: 28 beaches awarded the « Blue Flag » for their eco-responsible approach

In Morocco, 28 beaches have been awarded the "Blue Flag" label by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection. The various sites were rewarded for their eco-responsible approaches which contribute to the reduction of marine pollution.

Of the 419 beaches awarded the “Blue Flag” label by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, Morocco has 28 beaches. These include the beaches of Oued Laou (Tetouan), Essouira, Arekmane (Nador), El Haouzia (El Jadida), Sidi Rahal 4th tranche, Bouznika, Ba Kacem (Tangier-Assilah), M’diq (Mdiq-Fnideq), Sidi Ifni, Saïdia municipale, Dalia (Fahs Anjra), Achakar (Tangier-Assilah) or Cap Beddouza (Safi). The sites are spread over the Mediterranean coast (22) and the Atlantic coast (six).

With 46 Moroccan beaches in the running, only 28 braved the four categories of the label based on water quality, sanitation, safety and accessibility of the site. In total, 26 criteria were met, including respect for urban planning, the reduction of illegal dumping, and the installation of solar installations and purification stations for users.

For this year 2022, the Blue Flag has honoured a total of 419 beaches from 197 municipalities in 48 countries. From the next edition, the label will integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12, 13, 14 and 15 on responsible consumption and production, the fight against global warming, and the preservation of biodiversity. Founded in 1987, FEE is based in Copenhagen, Denmark, and also runs four other initiatives including Eco-School, Young Reporters for the Environment, Learning about Forest and Green Key.

All of these initiatives are linked to the “Clean Beaches” operation that is in full swing in Morocco. The initiative of the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Protection of the Environment aims to preserve marine ecosystems threatened by pollution. In this North African kingdom, single-use plastics, cigarette butts, food packaging, plastic shopping bags and foam takeaway containers are among the main pollutants on beaches.

Benoit-Ivan Wansi  | https://www.afrik21.africa/