PHILIPSBURG:--- In September of 2014 the Foundation for Environmental Education's (FEE) International Blue Flag Jury awarded Oyster Bay Beach Resort with the Blue Flag eco-label for the 2014- 2015 Blue Flag Season based on the Jury's analysis of EPIC-Sint Maarten's recommendations. The Blue Flag was presented to Oyster Bay in an award ceremony this past December and an International Inspection carried out by FEE representative Mr. Finn Bolding Thomsen found Oyster Bay to be in compliance with Blue Flag Criteria. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Oyster Bay Beach Resort Management and staff as well as EPIC-SHTA interns over the past year, Sint Maarten can now boast of having three Blue Flag locations.
The Blue Flag is an international symbol of quality recognized by governments, non-governmental organizations and tour operators around the world and is used for the promotion of the awarded beach, marina or the destination as a whole.
International research has shown:
- significant growth in visitors to Blue Flag beaches and marinas in comparison to non-Blue Flag locations;
- cleaner coastal areas as a result of improved awareness and conduct of beach goers (improved personal waste management);
- an increase in positive feedback and online ratings of Blue Flag destinations (countries, beaches and marinas);
- that residents and visitors often choose Blue Flag beaches, secure in the knowledge that high standards of beach management, water quality and safety and security are guaranteed.
Blue Flag is managed internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) which has a national administration center in each participating country. In St. Maarten, Blue Flag is run by the National Operator, Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC).
FEE and EPIC commend Oyster Bay Beach Resort on its environmental management initiatives and once again congratulate Oyster Bay on achieving Blue Flag certification. EPIC's Environmental Education Coordinator Ms. Laura Bijnsdorp will be working closely with all of Sint Maarten's Blue Flag locations: Oyster Bay Beach Resort, Divi Little Bay Resort, and The Yacht Club Isle de Sol Management and staff to build on the locations' ongoing environmental education and activities programs. Stay informed of Sint Maarten's Blue Flag Program and all of EPIC's other programs by liking and following our progress at www.facebook.com/epicislands.
EPIC Press Release