Quality of Croatian sea among the best in Europe

According to a European Environment Agency report the quality of Croatian sea, together with Malta and Cyprus, ranks as one of the best in Europe

According to a European Environment Agency report the quality of Croatian sea, together with Malta and Cyprus, ranks as one of the best in Europe, said Croatian Minister of Environment and Nature protection Mihael Zmajlovic following the presentation of results of bathing water quality monitoring for 2012 on Croatian beaches and the protection of water pollution in the coastal area project, reports Croatian radio-television.

  Zmajlovic said that the best spots are those beaches marked with blue flags. "We are considering the introduction of a white flag as well that will testify about purity of the seabed. Croatia can definitely be proud of its numerous beaches with blue flags, its preserved, beautiful beaches and its clear blue sea."

  The minister also said that Croatia was one of the first Mediterranean countries to systematically monitor the quality of bathing water as some counties have been doing this since 1986. This confirms how aware we are of the importance of systematic monitoring and the importance of water purity. He added that with its entry into EU Croatia will bring forth 16.6 % of its sea as part of an ecological network Natura 2000.

  Zmajlovic said that projects that focus on waste water treatment, the discharge of waste water into the sea and the marine environment are actually contributing to the preservation of the marine environment, which is a great tourist resource. But what is even more important, he said, is the preservation of biodiversity of the seabed.

  Asked about the most critical point, Zmajlovic said that the most critical points can be found in spots where there is direct sewage discharge into the marine environment. Croatia, he added, has launched a series of projects for the installation of equipment for wastewater treatment, and believes that special attention should be paid to marinas and ports, where particular care should be taken to ensure everything complies with high environmental standards.

  The head of the Department of Marine and Coastal Protection Nevia Kruži? said that the sea quality is being examined during the bathing season, from May through September, every 15 days, on more than 900 points along the coast and islands. She said that only 0.7 % of the beaches examined do not meet the water quality requirements because in these areas the sewage system isn't functioning properly yet.