The Regional Director for Sea Affairs stated that "a record number of coastal bathing areas in the Azores were distinguished this year with 39 Blue Flags under the Blue Flag international programme, representing five more than in 2018."
Filipe Porteiro mentioned that Blue Flags are distributed by the following islands: Pico with two flags, Santa Maria and Faial, each with four flags, Terceira with 13 flags and São Miguel with 16 flags.
Also, under this environmental programme, the vessel named "Badejo" from Santa Maria Island was the recipient of the ecotourism vessel award. Additionally, the award also distinguishes the Caloura Blue Centre in the municipality of Lagoa (São Miguel) as well as five marinas in the archipelago, namely Horta (Faial), Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória (Terceira), Ponta Delgada (São Miguel) and Vila do Porto (Santa Maria).
The Regional Director stated that 115 environmental educational activities are planned for this year throughout the Region under the motto "From the river to the sea without waste," which are aimed at achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
"These actions are based on civic empowerment, active participation of citizens and collaboration among various entities in the prevention and resolution of environmental problems," said the government official.
This year, the official national Blue Flag raising ceremony in a coastal bathing area will take place in the Azores, more specifically on Praia Grande beach, municipality of Praia da Vitória, on June 1.
As for the "Accessible Beach Programme, Beach for All," 19 applications were submitted by the following islands: Graciosa (1), Faial (1), Santa Maria (1), Terceira (6) and São Miguel (10). Currently, they are under analysis at the National Institute for Rehabilitation (INR) and the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA).
This national programme aims to ensure that bathing areas ensure accessibility conditions so that all users may enjoy them on equal footing, safety, comfort and autonomously, regardless of their age, mobility difficulties or other constraints that might limit their mobility.
In the context of the "Healthy Beach Programme," several beach ashtrays were allocated to municipalities that have requested the as well as an amphibious chair to Prainha d'Água d'Alto beach, municipality of Vila Franca do Campo. Promoted by the Vodafone Portugal Foundation, this initiative aims to improve the environmental management conditions and accessibility of bathing areas, through the donation of equipment.