Black Flags on the beaches of Andalusia in 2009

Rampant construction, the building of boardwalks and pleasure harbours, not to mention chemical and sewage dumping. The coastline of Andalusia loses some of its biodiversity each and every year thanks to short sighted action in the name of progress. In order to denounce the negative effects of these actions in 1998 Ecologists in Action launched a project known as Banderas Negras (Black Flags), a call for the administration and residents to take note.

In 2009 51 Black Flags have been awarded to the Andalusian coastline, along with 63 Black Spots. This is an increase on the 46 flags awarded in 2008. Almeria unfortunately has the most with 20 flags, as compared to 3 in Granada (in part due to the difference in kilometers of coastline between the two provinces). Cadiz, Malaga and Huelva are not far behind, with 15, 8 and 5 Black Flags respectively. Amongst the worst hit sites is Marbella (Malaga) due to the construction boom that has altered the area beyond recognition over the last decades. As the report concludes: “A Black Flag for all the beaches in the Marbella area, and its 100% occupation of land”.

Ecologists in Action is strongly in favour of leaving beaches wild and natural. Town halls have their own classification - Banderas Azules (Blue Flags) - that aims for a development that respects the environment. While neither is totally objective, both of their annual lists can help us to select from amongst the wide array of beaches according to taste.

Almeria

· LIC Sierras Almagrera Urbanization, Los Pinos and El Aguilón (Pulpí).
· Cala Invencible, San Juan de los Terreros (Pulpí).
· Salinas de Terreros Urbanization (Pulpí).
· Costa de Vera.
· Playa de Macenas (Mojácar).
· La milla negra, Cabo de Gata Natural Park (Carboneras).
· Playa del Lancón (Carboneras).
· Playa Las Marinicas (Carboneras).
· Playa de Aguamarga (Níjar).
· Playa de Las Negras (Níjar).
· El Playazo, Rodalquilar (Níjar).
· Costa Levante (Almeria).
· Aguadulce cliffs (Roquetas de Mar).
· Playa Serena Sur Urbanization and beach (Roquetas de Mar).
· Bahía de San Miguel (El Ejido).
· Almerimar (El Ejido).
· Guardias Viejas (El Ejido).

Cadiz

· Playa de Camarón (Chipiona).
· Playa Cruz del Mar (Chipiona).
· Playa Regla (Chipiona).
· Playa de El Ancla (El Puerto de Santa María).
· Playa de La Inmaculada (El Puerto de Santa María).
· Playa de Fuentebravía (El Puerto de Santa María).
· Playa de la Casería (San Fernando).
· Playa de La Barrosa-Novo Sancti Petri (Chiclana).
· Roche beach and cliffs (Conil).
· El Palmar (Vejer de la Frontera).
· Playa de Caños de Meca -Mari Sucia, Los Castillejos and La Laja- (Barbate).
· Playa Tómbolo de Trafalgar (Barbate).
· Playa de El Carmen (Barbate).
· Playa de Atlanterra (Tarifa).
· Playa de Los Lances (Tarifa).
· Isla Verde (Algeciras).
· The seabed near the factories Acerinox and Central Térmica (Los Barrios).
· Beaches near the CEPSA refinery (San Roque).
· The coast of Gibraltar.

Granada

· Between Almeria and la Rábita.
· Playa de las Azucenas (Motril)
· Playa de Poniente en (Motril)

Huelva

· Punta Umbría.
· Mazagón.
· Playas de Cartaya.
· Ría de Huelva.
· Playas de Ayamonte.

Malaga

· Maro-Cerro Gordo cliffs.
· Coast of Nerja.
· Coast of Torrox-Costa.
· Delta of River Vélez.
· Playa de la Misericordia (Malaga).
· Playa de La Malagueta (Malaga).
· Playa San Julián (Malaga).
· Playa del Bombo (Mijas).
· Coast of Marbella.
· Punta de Baños (Estepona).
· Punta de los Mármoles (Estepona).
· Playa La Rada – Arroyo Calancha (Estepona).
· Bahía Dorada – Buenas Noches (Estepona).