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The Green Blue in Wales is officially launched with the support of rugby legend

NEWS RELEASE 06 July 2007

Rugby legend Gareth Edwards has backed the Green Blue initiative calling on all water sports enthusiasts to help clean up the environment of Wales.

The national environmental campaign, The Green Blue, a joint initiative between the Royal Yachting Association and the British Marine Federation was rolled out in Wales yesterday at Penarth Marina, aimed at all recreational boaters and the marine industries.

The initiative is targeted at more than a hundred sailing centres round Wales and the thousands of people who enjoy themselves while out on the water. The Green Blue aims to make sure there is less pollution both on inland waterways and around the coast.

The Green Blue complements the 'Catching The Wave' initiative, which aims to increase annual revenue from water sports by 40% within 6 years, taking the total contribution to the Welsh economy to £224m by 2010.

By following a few simple steps such as using more environmentally friendly products and taking care with oil and fuel it is hoped to that the programme will boost water sports participation whilst ensuring the environmental impact is minimised.

“We are blessed with a lot of waterways in Wales, but we have to guard against complacency and keep on top of things all the time because it is so easy for it to get polluted. said Edwards

“When effluent pollutes a river the tragedy is that it can then get into the water system – it is not just the environment that suffers, we all could.

“I delight in fishing, but the environment is something everyone should be aware of because of the impact it can have on all of us.

Following the launch ceremony there was a demonstration of anti-pollution machinery by the Cardiff Harbour Authority.

Ruth Sharratt ,The Green Blue project co-ordinator for Wales said: “The scheme aims to get all people who go out on the water and the industry that relies on them to make sure that what they do is environmentally friendly.”

“We need to make sure that we don’t unwittingly pollute the water and are aware of the beautiful wildlife around us. Ruth continued: “If the industry follows best practice it really pays off for them such as here in Penarth where recycling facilities are welcomed by visitors and berth holders alike.

“Everyone can do their bit and if we do, then the numbers boating can carry on growing while minimising the environmental impact.

“Wales is gorgeous and we need to make the most of these beautiful waters .”

Brian Clark, environment executive at the British Marine Federation, said, “The recreational boating industry relies on a clean environment to operate and attract customers.

“Also the Government is bringing in numerous laws to manage the activities of our members so we have to make sure we encourage best practice before those regulations become enforced.

“Every little bit helps. The big players can do their bit, but it is our responsibility to encourage the wider recreational boating community to follow The Green Blue code.

“Initial studies show this has been very successful in England. We were only offered funding for England but delivering this project on a national basis was imperative for us and it is great the Environment Agency and Countryside Council for Wales have picked this up.”

Welsh Yachting Association chairman Chris Basten said, “This affects everybody on the water, the more people can protect the environment the cleaner the seas will become.

“In our estimation there are about 112 active sailing centres in Wales and if they all get involved there will be many thousands of people involved in The Green Blue which is what we all want.”

Cardiff councillor Nigel Howells, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Parks, commented, “Cardiff Bay has become a major attraction to Cardiff, whether it is on the side of the Bay or in the water taking part.

“We have some major initiatives to keep the water as clean as it can be, but the more help we can have from everyone the better – we need to get the message out that little things can make a difference.”