Memorial Day: Crowds cram beaches across U.S., raising physical distancing concerns

The Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial start of summer in the U.S. meant big crowds at beaches and warnings from authorities Sunday about people disregarding the coronavirus physical-distancing rules and risking a resurgence of the scourge that has killed nearly 100,000 Americans.

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Crowds cram beaches across U.S., raising physical distancing concerns | CBC News

Red Tide: Dangerous Florida Red Tide turning Manatees 'Pretty Much Comatose - by Daniel Moritz-Rabson '

A toxic algae bloom sweeping across Florida has landed nearly comatose manatees in rehabilitation.

Thousands of dead turtle, fish and eel have washed onto the state’s scenic beaches from toxic red tide algae bloom consuming the southwestern Florida coast.

Rescuers have rushed to save marine life from blooms of the Karenia brevis algae, which produces brevetoxins and causes neurological issues when consumed. The threatened Florida manatee, which has a population of 6,131, is among the species imperlied by the naturally occurring algae, and rescuers are rushing to protect the mammals.

Five hundred forty manatees have already died this year, more than the 538 deaths recorded in 2017. Since the start of 2018, 80 manatee carcasses have been found on Florida beaches. Scientists finger brevetoxins as the likely killer.

“Manatees swim in it, they breathe it, and they eat it,” manager of rescue operations at SeaWorld Orlando Jon Peterson told Newsweek, speaking of K. brevis. When rescuers find the manatees, “they’re going to be pretty much comatose. They aren’t going to swimming or moving. They might be in full seizures.”

Read more: Florida Red Tide Update: Manatees 'Pretty Much Comatose'

European Tourism: Swimming in Europe: interactive map of the best places to go

Swimsuits at the ready! July's heat wave is forecast to return to Europe this month. The interactive map below, sourced from the European Environment Agency's website, shows which bathing waters are the cleanest for a dip.

The bars turn into hundreds of separate locations once you zoom, allowing you to see the cleanliness of Europe's coastline, lakes and rivers in much better detail. The more dark blue you see, the better the water quality is, whereas red areas indicate places that have not met minimum standards. 

Read more: Swimming in Europe: interactive map of the best places to go | News | theguardian.com

USA: Tourism: Dirty Beaches Beaches Are Health Hazards - Florida plans to stop weekly bacterial testing on its beaches can backfire

The recent Florida State Republican majority and their T-Party cohorts decision to end weekly bacterial testing on Florida beaches because of budget cuts could, at the end, cost them much more in tourist dollars earned than that it would save them in budget cuts.

Already the changes elicited some concerns from locals and tourists who frequent Florida's popular and picturesque beaches.

The Florida state Health Department said it held public meetings across the state to seek public input on the changes. A complete report on the findings of these meetings has not been released.

In Europe and many other countries around the world the Blue Flag classification system is used. Blue Flag is a voluntary eco-label awarded to over 3650 beaches and marinas in 44 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean.

The Blue Flag works towards sustainable development of beaches and marinas through strict criteria dealing with Water Quality, Environmental Education and Information, Environmental Management, and Safety and Other Services.

The Blue Flag Program is owned and run by a non-government, non-profit organization known as the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and is based in Denmark. It is supported by UNEP (a UN division of Technology, Industry and Economics) and is a very important partner to FEE in informing the public about eco-tourism with the Blue Flag example and extending the principles of the Program to non-European regions. Other organizations supporting the Blue Flag program are: World Tourism Organization (UNWTO, The World Conservation Union (IUCN, International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA,EUCC - The Coastal Union, and the European Union (EU).

It might be beneficial and probably also cost effective for Florida to sign-up with the Blue Flag program.

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Tourism: Finding a clean beach in Europe and other destinations - Blue Flag Program

The Blue Flag is a voluntary eco-label awarded to over 3650 beaches and marinas in 44 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean.

The Blue Flag Programme is owned and run by the non-government, non-profit organisation the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

The Blue Flag works towards sustainable development of beaches and marinas through strict criteria dealing with Water Quality, Environmental Education and Information, Environmental Management, and Safety and Other Services.

For more: Blue Flag Programme

Nirvana: Turkey's beaches receive international award

For the complete report from Nirvana click on this link

Turkey's beaches receive international award

Turkish beaches are among the best in Europe, with 38 more receiving blue flag certifications this year. Last year, 192 of Turkey's beaches reached the tough standard set by the award, but in 2007, 38 more attained the level. The award is granted by the International Environmental Education Foundation and places Turkey among the top eight countries in Europe, alongside Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Croatia and Denmark. The accreditation guarantees a standard of cleanliness, tidiness and maintenance that tourists can trust, as beaches are reassessed every year. Beaches must realise 29 criteria to obtain the award, with water cleanliness the hardest to achieve. Water is tested for bathing quality by insuring there is no industrial or sewage discharge present. Other specifications of the system include environmental education and information provision, for example, each beach must offer a minimum of five educational activities.