Mgarr ix-Xini beach is the first beach on Gozo to have been certified as a White Flag Beach, the Ministry for Gozo has said.

The White Flag – is a symbol of CSMAs (Certified Safe Marine Areas) representing that the beach and surrounding area is fully cleaned from plastic and other non-degradable waste

The Minister for Gozo Dr Justyne Caruana welcomed the news stating that such an initiative is another step forward in adopting the strategy of the EcoGozo Department within the same Ministry.

Dr Caruana said that this milestone bodes well for anyone who uses the beach at Mgarr ix-Xini “but we must continue working to ensure that all beaches are clean.”

While thanking the workers within the Ministry for Gozo in charge of beaches, Dr Caruana added that this will extend two other popular beaches, namely Marsalforn and Dahlet Qorrot in Nadur.The Minister went on to say that this initiative is the strategy adopted by the Government to ensure that the seas around our country are clean from all kinds of material and non-degradable waste, helping to further improve the marine environment.

Dr Caruana explained that the intention is that in a few years, all beaches in Gozo will be classified as White Flag Beaches, making Gozo the only destination in the Mediterranean to offer this benefit to residents as well as the thousands of tourists who visit the island for their holidays.

Kristijan Curavic, Whiteflag Int. CEO and founder, who has for the last 15 years been working to strengthen the marine environment, praised Gozo’s achievement in this field.

He said that with a little effort from everyone it will ensure that both the marine environment and our beaches are more durable and safe, to be enjoyed by future generations.

Golden Bay in Malta was also awarded White Flag status, and in March this year Wied iz-Zurrieq achieved the same.

Photograph: MGOZ/Terry Camilleri

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