The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology highlighted in Fajã Grande, Flores Island, the investment of nearly 150 thousand Euros in the maintenance and management of bathing areas in the Region as well as in the bathing water monitoring programme.
 
Gui Menezes mentioned the existence of nine bathing areas that are part of the Costal Management Plan. Each municipality of Flores has proposed the identification of a bathing water on an annual basis, namely Fajã Grande in Lajes and one in Santa Cruz; both are monitored by the Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs."
 
"These two bathing waters are of excellent quality," the Regional Secretary said, adding that another four bathing waters are also monitored on the island of Flores, including Calheta Beach (Lajes), Ponta Delgada Port, Boqueirão Port and Salemas Pool (Santa Cruz).
 
"The monitoring results of these bathing waters classify them as "suited for bathing," said Gui Menezes.
 
The Regional Secretary emphasised the "commitment" of the Regional Government to "guarantee the conditions for the safe use of bathing areas" on all islands. This will contribute to the creation of the "necessary conditions" so that all islands will have, at least, one bathing area distinguished with a Blue Flag.
 
During this year's monitoring programme, 400 tests conducted to identified bathing waters and 173 to unidentified bathing waters.
 
Gui Menezes also mentioned the financial support provided by the Azorean Government "over the last few years," in the training of life savers throughout the archipelago. In this regard, he noted that the Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs (DRAM) "may support training costs for life savers on the islands of Flores and Corvo."
 
"Like the previous year, we supported the participation of trainees, thus encouraging the reinforcement of life savers in the archipelago's bathing areas," said the government official. Last year, four lifesaving courses were carried out on the islands of São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira and Faial.
 
This year, the investment made by DRAM in these courses stood at 3,000 Euros. The Regional Secretary ensured that the "investment will be maintained to encourage young people from all islands to become life savers, thus improving the safety of bathing areas."
 
Gui Menezes also highlighted the "extension of the bathing season in this year's approved bathing areas under the management of the Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs," defending that this decision "contributes to the safety of bathers, a priority goal for those who using these spaces."
 
"A well-managed network of bathing areas is a vital asset for all bathers," said the government official.
 
The Regional Secretary also stated that the Regional Government "is available to continue collaborating with municipalities in the redevelopment of bathing areas, ensuring financial support for the interventions deemed necessary to their improvement."