Click here for the original article from The Times Chile (in Spanish)
Translation by Lourdes Diaz, FEE Board of Directors
The senator for the Valparaíso Region, Kenneth Pugh, raised via video conference for a colloquium - organized by the Chilean Maritime League - the need for Chilean beaches and ports to obtain an international certification known as Blue Flag that has the support of the United Nations (UN) and which considers four criteria: quality of bathing water, environmental information and education, environmental management and security and services and facilities.
“The benefits of having our coastline and beaches have this certification are multiple. From greater possibilities for tourism, since more and more tourists are looking for this type of certified beaches to go on vacation (especially those from developed countries), boost the economy of these localities, promote recycling, sustainable development and sustainability on our beaches, improve the care of our marine resources such as fish, crustaceans and shellfish, generate environmental awareness and education, among others, ”explained the independent congressman for the RN.
In addition, the parliamentarian emphasized the importance of connectivity that the sea has, not only for maritime transport, but also for the connections and trade that take place in its waters, through container ships over the sea and submarine fiber optic cables, that carry electronic commerce of the Internet by the seabed.
In Chile, the municipality of Zapallar announced during December of last year that it started the international implementation process to obtain the Blue Flag certification for the Cachagua beach. This would make Chile the first country in the South American Pacific to achieve this worldwide recognition.
Worldwide, Spain leads the Blue Flag certification, adding almost 600 beaches (252 municipalities) and 100 marinas. In South America, Brazil is the benchmark with four beaches and two marinas. "We have to follow the example of Spain, in which the work of the municipalities together with social and neighborhood organizations and the private sector has allowed this country to be a pioneer in this matter. To achieve this, education at an early age is very important, since if we teach our children from a young age the importance of the sea and the care of water resources, it will be easier to raise awareness by the time they are adults," said the MP.
Reform in favor of the sea
Regarding other projects to protect the seas, Senators Kenneth Pugh and Ricardo Lagos Weber presented a constitutional reform project last year that seeks to recognize the duty and interest of the State to safeguard Chile's maritime spaces and, in this way, contribute to the care of the environment.
“Today it is of utmost importance that the State of Chile commits itself to the highest legal level; that is, in our Constitution, with our maritime territory. We have an obligation to protect and promote knowledge about our oceans, "said Pugh.
Senator Kenneth Pugh, photo from https://www.pugh.cl/