Brazil has record number of beaches and marinas awarded Blue Flag in 2021

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazil’s 2021/2022 summer season will feature a record number of beaches and marinas awarded the Blue Flag, the main international certification for the management of beaches, marinas and tourist vessels.

The announcement was made on Friday, October 1, and confirms the nominations made by the program’s national jury, comprising the Ministry of Tourism and other Brazilian bodies, which recommended 22 beaches and 6 marinas. Compared to last season when 24 were awarded, Brazil increased the number of certified sites by 16%.

Adding the beaches and marinas, Brazil will have a total of 28 sites awarded by the initiative, 15 of them in Santa Catarina, 5 in Rio de Janeiro, 3 in Bahia, 3 in São Paulo, 1 in Alagoas, and another in Espírito Santo. The award ceremony is scheduled for November, at the start of the Blue Flag season in the southern hemisphere.

Minister of Tourism Gilson Machado Neto says that the growth in the number of certifications confirms the federal government’s commitment to environmental preservation, particularly of the Brazilian seashore.

“We are committed to offering clean, preserved, and suitable places for tourists to enjoy our coastline, which we consider to be one of the most beautiful in the world. We will keep striving to improve our destinations so that we may better serve our tourists,” he said.

To qualify for the Blue Flag, a number of criteria focusing on environmental management, water quality, environmental education, safety and services, sustainable tourism, and social responsibility must be met, maintained, and confirmed annually.

The Program’s main goal is to raise the level of involvement and, consequently, of awareness of society, entrepreneurs in the nautical segment, and public administrators of the need to protect the marine/coastal environment, by fostering initiatives that lead to the resolution of existing problems in the search for quality and environmental protection.

The Blue Flag Program coordinator in Brazil, Leana Bernardi, highlighted that the award is a response to the challenges faced in recent times. “Because of the pandemic, there was difficulty for some in carrying out water testing and certain activities related to the program. However, with the help of our partners, all the criteria were met, earning recognition from the national and international jury,” she said.

In addition to MTur, the program’s National Jury also includes the Ministries of Education and of the Environment, the Federal Government’s Secretariat for Coordination and Governance, Ambientes em Rede Institute, Brazilian Nautical Association – ACATMAR, the Brazilian Agency for Coastal Management, SOS Mata Atlântica Foundation, Brazilian Society for Marine Rescue and the National Association of Environmental Municipal Bodies (ANAMMA).

Every year, the organizations meet to assess compliance with the criteria and decide which beaches, marinas, and vessels will be submitted to the International Jury.

BLUE FLAG

The Blue Flag Program promotes sustainable development in freshwater and marine areas. The Program challenges local authorities and beach managers to achieve high standards in 4 areas: water quality, environmental management, environmental education, and safety. Over the years, the Blue Flag has become a highly respected and recognized eco-label working to bridge the tourism and environmental sectors locally, regionally, and internationally.

The Blue Flag Program was created by the FEE – Foundation for Environmental Education (www.fee.global), an international institution with several members representing their respective countries. In Brazil, the Program’s National Operator is IAR – Instituto Ambientes em Rede (www.iarbrasil.org.br).

Beaches awarded in the 2021/2022 season:

Patacho Beach, Porto de Pedras – AL
Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe Beach, Salvador – BA
Guarajuba Beach, Camaçari – BA
Itacimirim Beach, Camaçari – BA
Sereia Beach, Vila Velha – ES
Sossego Beach, Niterói – RJ
Prainha Beach, Rio de Janeiro – RJ
Reserva Beach, Rio de Janeiro – RJ
Peró Beach, Cabo Frio – RJ
Praia Grande, Governador Celso Ramos – SC
Estaleiro Beach, Balneário Camboriú – SC
Estaleirinho Beach, Balneário Camboriú – SC
Piçarras Beach, Balneario Piçarras – SC
Quatro Ilhas Beach, Bombinhas – SC
Mariscal Beach, Bombinhas – SC
Conceição Beach, Bombinhas – SC
Prainha Beach, São Francisco do Sul – SC
Praia do Forte, São Francisco do Sul – SC
Praia Grande, Penha – SC
Bacia da Vovó Beach, Penha – SC
Saudade Beach, Penha – SC
Tombo Beach, Guarujá – SP

Marinas awarded for the 2021/2022 season:

Costabella Marina, Angra dos Reis – RJ
Tedesco Marina – Balneário Camboriú – SC
Itajaí Marina, Itajaí – SC
Santa Catarina Yacht Club (Center Club), Florianópolis – SC
National Marinas, Guarujá – SP
Kauai Marina, Ubatuba – SP

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