Greek Beaches Stripped of Blue Flags

Fourteen Greek coasts, winners of the ‘Blue Flags’ international program for environmental education, information and awareness were recently dropped from the 2008 list and lost their award.

As revealed by inspections, during this summer coastal managers had failed to maintain the required cleanliness of the beaches as well as the necessary services to bathers.

Members of the program’s organizing committee found that although the beaches had clean waters serious deficiencies in the provision of services to bathers were apparent. Also noticed was the lack of interest by the managers themselves to meet the criteria of the ‘Blue Flag’ award in reference to cleanliness rules, safety measures for bathers, and environment and coastal area protection.

The ‘Blue Flag’ award of the following coasts have been revoked for 2008 and they cannot be candidates for the award in 2009: Adrina beach (Skopelos, Magnessia); Papa Nero, Damouchari and Agios Ioannis (Mouressi, Magnessia); Malaki (Artemida, Magnessia); Korfos (Velo, Corinthos); Trokantero (Itea, Fokida); Agios Gavriil/Psalidi and Kritika 3 / Barbayiannis (Kos, Dodecanissos); Ornos (Mykonos, Cyclades); and Karfas, Agia Fotini and Megas Limnionas (Agios Minas, Chios).