BLUEPOINTS MARINA FIRST TO RECEIVE CLEAN AND RESILIENT MARINA DESIGNATION

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 26, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us 

BLUEPOINTS MARINA FIRST TO RECEIVE CLEAN AND RESILIENT MARINA DESIGNATION

BLUEPOINTS

Marina demonstrates not only best practices, but also emergency preparedness

CAPE CANAVERAL – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Environmental Education and Sustainable Initiatives is proud to honor Bluepoints Marina as the first clean and resilient marina in the state.

The marina has demonstrated its commitment to environmental stewardship through implementing best management practices, and has gone a step beyond to employ practices that achieve an additional level of resiliency, sustainability and environmental responsibility.

“Bluepoints Marina is a leader in Florida’s marine and boating industry,” said DEP Central District Director Jeff Prather. “The Central District is proud to have the first of this designation in Florida, and we are especially proud of the environmental stewards at Bluepoints Marina who implement practices that contribute to emergency preparedness and sustainability.”

The Clean and Resilient Marina Initiative is a Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) project, born from the Coastal Community Resilience Team and part of the Governors’ action plan. GOMA is a partnership of the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, with the goal of significantly increasing regional collaboration to enhance the ecological and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico. The initiative calls for the promotion and expansion of resilient and environmentally responsible operations and best management practices at marinas. This helps promote marinas that can bounce back quickly from both natural and man-made disasters. 

"Bluepoints Marina is privileged to have been chosen as the first marina in the state of Florida to be honored with the distinction of being a Clean and Resilient Marina in accordance with the specifications for such distinction as promulgated by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Clean and Resilient Initiative," said Keith Smith, marina manager.

Bluepoints Marina has met and exceeded marine environmental best management practices in the Clean Marina Program, as well as resiliency practices outlined in the Gulf of Mexico Clean and Resilient Marina Initiative. Bluepoints Marina is a leader in emergency planning and an asset to Florida’s marina and boating community.    

Florida has nearly 1 million registered motorized vessels and more than 2,000 marinas -- the largest number of marine facilities in the country. Drawing millions of visitors each year, Florida’s clear waters, world-class beaches and coral reefs supplement a $67.2 billion tourism industry, an $18.4 billion boating industry and a fishing industry that injects more than $6.9 billion a year into Florida’s communities. Protecting Florida’s waterways is essential for the continued growth of our state's aquatic industries. To date, 284 marinas have been recognized by the Clean Marina Program in addition to 43 boatyards and 19 designated clean retailers. Marinas that are already certified as Clean Marinas can use provided resources to become certified as Clean and Resilient Marinas.

For more information about the Florida Clean Marina Program, click here.  

For more information about the Gulf of Mexico Alliance's Clean and Resilient Marina Program, click here