| subscribe | magstore.nz/boatingnewzealand Boating New Zealand 13
WORLDBOATWORLDBOATWORLDBOATWORLDBOATWORLD
BAREFOOT
GETS BLUE FLAGB
arefoot Sailing Adventures – based in the Bay
of Islands – is New Zealand’s first recipient
of a newly-created category in the Blue Flag
Accreditation programme.
Blue Flag is a world-renowned eco-label operating
in 45 countries with over 4,000 marinas, beaches
and sustainable boating operators flying the Blue Flag
internationally.
It’s new category – Sustainable Boating Tourism
Operator (SBTO) – was awarded to Barefoot Sailing
Adventures thanks to its “strong environmental
focus throughout all their activities and sustainable
boating tourism.”
Company spokesman Rachael Biggins says
the environmental education component of the
programme attracted her to Blue Flag. “We are
passionate about providing support and educating
others on conservation initiatives, such as ‘Project
Island Song’ in the Bay of Islands; the Blue Flag criteria
aligns well with this commitment.”
Three Auckland marinas – Westhaven, The Landing
and Outboard Boating Club – also have Blue Flag
accreditation.
The Blue Flag programme has – since 2016 –
been managed in New Zealand by Keep New Zealand
Beautiful (KNZB). CEO Heather Saunderson says if a
beach, marina or small boating tourism operator is
awarded a Blue Flag this is a signal that an operator
has demonstrated a strong commitment
to excellence with respect to sound
management and environmental
protection.
Keep New Zealand Beautiful
has developed detailed
handbooks and guides for
beaches, marinas and small
boating tourism operators
outlining the process for Blue
Flag accreditation. Rachael Biggins (left), from
Barefoot Sailing, receives the Blue
Flag Award from KNZB Education
Manager, Christine White.get
involved
Blue Flag programme
[email protected]
Ph: Christine White
(09) 264 143