Turkey ranks third in Blue Flag beaches
ANKARA - Anadolu Agency
Turkey with its 459 Blue Flag-certified beaches has ranked third among 50 countries, the Turkish Environment and Urbanization Ministry announced on May 14.
Spain topped the list with a total of 579 Blue Flag-certified beaches, followed by Greece with 466 beaches.
Turkey had 140 Blue Flag-certified beaches in 2002. The country joined the program in 1994 with only 12 Blue Flag beaches, according to the 2018 list by the Copenhagen-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
“Blue Flag” is an exclusive eco-label awarded by the nonprofit FEE to beaches and marinas that meet certain criteria such as water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety.
It is an international program currently being implemented in 50 countries around the world including European countries, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Canada and Caribbean islands.
According to the list, Turkey has 22 Blue Flag marinas.
