Ramla l-Hamra, Hondoq ir-Rummien and Marsalforn Beach were all awarded the Blue Flag Award for another year.

In a statement released by the Gozo Ministry, it said that in order to achieve the Blue Flag Award the beaches had to meet the standards of water quality, environmental management, environmental education, and beach safety.

“For another year we managed to keep and get three Blue Flags for the island of Gozo. I thank the Beach Management Team under the supervision of the Intervention Team within the Gozo Ministry that works to maintain these three Blue Flags and if possible, we add new beaches to the list. In fact, this year the Ministry applied for Xwejni Beach as a quality beach with plans to obtain the Blue Flag in the coming years,” Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri said.

Camilleri spoke about the importance of this flag and how it is needed to act as motivation to improve the quality of Gozo.

Those who were granted the Blue Flag Award also spoke highly of the activities that took place last season.

An investment was made to get a new lifeguard tower for Marsalforn Beach and new facilities were added on Xwejni Beach, such as information boards, and a new safer swimming area, soon there will be new parking spots for persons with disabilities, a number of educational activities planned, and a lifeguard service is planned for the future.

Camilleri said that he is committed to improving the beaches and encouraged the public to follow regulations and keep the beaches clean.

“Above all, the beaches of our island are essential for summer’s tourist product,” he said.

NGO Nature Trust Malta, and its CEO Vince Attard, were also present at this conference. The NGO released a four-year-old turtle named Claudette into the sea after she recovered from a wound caused by fishing hooks.