By JEREMY FRANCIS

Freeport News Reporter

The Caribbean Blue Flag Consortium intends to preserve the clarity and reputation of The Bahamas' world renowned beaches and frequented marinas by erecting Blue Flags in the vicinities of a majority of the tourist attractions.

Delegates of the consortium yesterday gathered at Our Lucaya's Convention Centre to "meet and strategize for Blue Flag in the Caribbean," according to Earl McPhee, the Ministry of Tourism's general manager for sustainable tourism development.

The Blue Flag is an exclusive eco-label which symbolizes working towards sustainable development at beaches and marinas through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services.

Since its initiation in 1985 in France, 29 other countries have hopped on the bandwagon, with America pre-sently in the process of becoming a Blue Flag bearer.

"Now," Mr. McPhee said, "with this Memorandum of Understanding between Blue Flag International and the United States, this is going to become more prestigious in this part of the world because of the high standards that this sets."

And Old Bahama Bay will be pitching the prestigious flag at its marina today.

McPhee noted that the Old Bahama Bay and Port Lucaya marinas were scheduled to have been certified in November, but last year's storms interrupted the process. Nevertheless, he says that they are looking at having them certified in May.

International Blue Flag Coordinator Finn Bolding Thomsen, of Denmark, revealed that the programme "has been a very important instrument in keeping up high standards on safety, on water quality, on environmental facilities, and such issues."

McPhee is hopeful that the same thing can be said about The Bahamas once the public is made more knowledgeable of the matter.

"We have more than 85 marinas in The Bahamas — one of the highest per capita in the world. We have to ensure that these pleasure-boaters come and spend money," he said. "The other important thing is that we need to educate the community of the importance of our marine ecosystem because the communities that are close to these marinas also have an impact on the integrity of the marina environment."

He noted that a recent research study that was conducted globally indicated that 70 percent of all debris or pollution in the marine environment stemmed from inland activities.

In April, McPhee says the consortium will be launching National Coastal Awareness month throughout The Bahamas, during which a number of activities to enlighten persons on the importance of our marine ecosystem will be carried out.

CAPTION: CLEAR WATER ACTIVISTS — International Blue Flag Coordinator Finn Bolding Thomsen, of Denmark, and Earl McPhee, the Ministry of Tourism's general manager for sustainable tourism development, discuss the benefits of Blue Flag. (Photo by ANGELO ARMBRISTER)