Al Mamzar Beach Park and The Jumeirah Open Beach  are the 2 Dubai Beaches which fly blue Flag  of excellence –awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education as an international symbol of excellence in safety and quality.

The Blue Flag is one of the benchmarks in the field of environment protection, cleanliness and safety.

Dubai Municipality had to meet 32 requirements to qualify, including water quality, health and safety, environmental education, eco-friendly management and conservation activities.

Though two public beaches operated by the Dubai Municipality — Al Mamzar and Jumeirah Open Beach — have already received the coveted status awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the hoisting of the Blue Flag took place first on Saturday 6^th July 2013 in Al Mamzar. Dubbed the world?s biggest eco-label, the flag will be flown on the Jumeirah Open Beach in the coming days.

Complying with the prerequisites of the Blue Flag, the municipality has strengthened the safety measures and services for the beach users. Eight lifeguards are now on duty at Al Mamzar Beach and three at Jumeirah Open Beach. 50 beach parasols and 10 showers in Mamzar have been fixed.

Access to people with special needs is another criterion met by the Blue Flag beaches, the water quality of which must fully comply with set standards. The ban on barbecuing and walking pets on the beaches are also strictly observed to maintain the status.

If the criteria are not fulfilled during the season or the conditions change, the Blue Flag may be withdrawn.

To date, 3,203 beaches and 646 marinas are awarded the Blue Flag worldwide, according to the website of the Blue Flag programme which completed 25 years in 2012. In total, 60 countries have been granted the Blue Flag, including Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, the Caribbean, Jordan and the UAE.

The UAE is the first and only country in the GCC to have Blue Flag beaches and marinas. So far, eight beaches and four marinas in the country have become eligible to fly the prestigious symbol of safety and standards. Most of them are private properties. Abu Dhabi Corniche Beach was the first public beach to fly the Blue Flag in the UAE.

Each certified beach will have to hold five environmental events a year.  This will not only raise awareness for environmental issues, but the programme also ensures a high level of service and safety standards at the beaches.

One of the main requirements for Blue Flag status is to have enough lifeguards and rescue equipment. At least one strip of beach must have access for people with special needs.

The Emirates Wildlife Society will inspect and hold surveys of the beaches twice a month to check they are complying with the Blue Flag requirements.

UAE is  in the process of applying for certification for all its other beaches  .

The recognition was the first to be given to a public beach in Dubai, which already has Blue Flags for three private beaches in its coastline.

The two public beaches are the most popular to beachgoers in Dubai as Al Mamzar Beach Park received nearly 1.85 million visitors in 2012 while Jumeirah Open Beach received 292,000.

As per blue flag program If  the water quality is ?not good? due to pollution or if the percentage of micro bacteria in the water increases due to sudden changes in temperature, the beach will have to be closed to the public until it is safe again for public use.

The programme/certification increases the confidence of UAE?s sustainable environmental development, the concept of eco-tourism and attracting more tourists to the country, highlighting what UAE is  doing to protect the environment.