It was an awards bonanza for Bitou Municipality on Friday, 20 October, as Bitou raked in numerous awards at the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) Blue Flag and Green Coast awards. 

Bitou’s six beaches, namely: Robberg 5, The Waves, Nature’s Valley, Lookout Beach, The Dunes, and Singing Kettle, retained their Blue Flag status. 

The town also received two Blue Flag awards for Offshore Adventures’ boats.

Bitou Municipality’s Nature Reserve Beach was awarded the prestigious Green Coastal Flag Status Award- a first for the town. 

The Green Coast award has been developed by WESSA to recognise those sensitive coastal sites that are managed according to standardised criteria and are able to maintain a consistent improvement of conditions at the site. 

The Green Coast award focuses on three main coastal themes, namely: sensitive habitats, sensitive species, and cultural heritage. 

Bitou’s Executive Mayor, Dave Swart expressed his excitement on the awards.

“These awards are indicative of the importance that Bitou Municipality and our beaches staff place on the maintenance and upkeep of our beaches to keep them in pristine condition for our locals and visitors.”

He further thanked the Natures Valley Trust for their work in monitoring and research programs to assist with the management of the coast. 

“The Award also makes mention of clean-ups, environmental awareness programs and the maintenance of facilities and coastal infrastructure. 

“Much credit also goes to the Keep Plett Clean Campaign and our public who are always willing to assist with clean-ups of the beaches.

He further appealed to dog-owners who walk their dogs on our beaches to continue to assist in keeping our beaches up to standard by cleaning up after their dogs and adhering to signage in areas where dogs are not allowed on the beach or need to be on a leash.

CEO of Plett Tourism, Patty Butterworth said it’s important that among the criteria to receive the Blue Flag award and Green Coast award are environmentally responsible tourism. 

“As stewards of the natural beauty that draws millions of visitors every year, we need the public to know and embrace that responsibility. We can only protect our environment if we’re all involved in the mission and the effort.” 

Meanwhile Director at Nature's Valley Trust,  Hendri Coetzee, said plans were afoot to expand the work done by the Natures Valley Trust to throughout Plettenberg Bay Coast. 

Coetzee said: “there is also possibility that we are going to add the Tsitsikama Section of the Garden Route National Park. 

He said winning following a rigorous process was no small feat.