14 May 2018•Update: 15 May 2018
By Selma Kasap
ANKARA
Turkey with its 459 Blue Flag-certified beaches has ranked third among 50 countries, the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization announced on Monday.
Turkey had 140 beaches certified Blue Flag in 2002. The country joined the program in 1994 with only 12 Blue Flag beaches, according to the 2018 list by Copenhagen-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
"Blue Flag" is an exclusive eco-label awarded by the nonprofit FEE to beaches and marinas that meet certain criteria such as water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety.
It is an international program currently being implemented in 50 countries around the world including European countries, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Canada and in the Caribbean.
According to the list, Turkey has 22 Blue Flag marinas.
