Blue Flag Status Revoked From 19 Greek Beaches

Nineteen Greek coasts that were honored with the quality “Blue Flag” award in June were recently dropped from the 2012 list, according to the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature. The “Blue Flag” is a voluntary eco-label awarded to beaches across the world.

According to the society, although the quality of the bathing water was high, inspections revealed that coastal managers had failed to maintain the required cleanliness of the beaches, protect the environment and provide necessary services to bathers.

The Blue Flag award of the following coasts were revoked for 2012:

• Vigla Coast (Rodos, Dodecanese)
• Traganou Caves Coast (Rodos, Dodecanese)
• Agia Varvara/Katelios (Kefalonia)
• Xi Coast (Kefalonia)
• Agios Petros Coast (Andros, Cyclades)
• Batsi Coast (Andros, Cyclades)
• Crysi Ammos Coast (Andros, Cyclades)
• Sitia 2/Petra Coast (Sitia, Lasithi)
• Sitia 3/Karavopetra Coast (Sitia, Lasithi)
• Vourlia Coast (Sitia, Lasithi)
• Limanaki Coast (Sitia, Lasithi)
• Analipsi Coast (Sitia, Lasithi)
• Kala Nera Coast (South Pelion, Magnesia)
• Almyrida Coast (Apokoronou, Chania)
• Voulismeni Coast (Kantanou Selinou, Chania)
• Grammeno Coast (Kantanou Selinou, Chania)
• Limnaki Coast (Kantanou Selinou, Chania)
• Pacheia Ammos Coast (Kantanou Selinou, Chania)
• Halikia Coast (Kantanou Selinou, Chania)

The above-mentioned coasts are banned from the 2013 award process.