"The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area has a long history of monitoring and protecting the condition of its beaches," said Walter McLeod, of the Clean Beaches Council. "By seeking the Blue Wave, they have sent a message that symbolizes clean and safe beaches managed with consideration for the environment."

The Blue Wave Campaign is a voluntary, annual certification program judging two classes of applicant beaches -- rural and resort -- against criteria in the following categories: water quality, beach and intertidal conditions, safety, services, habitat conservation, public information/education and erosion management. The distinctive Blue Wave flag functions as an eco-label, telling the public that the beach where it flies has met the Clean Beaches Council's standards for cleanliness, safety and environmentally sound management.

"Having healthy, safe beaches has always been a priority for us," said Carole Ketterhagen, executive director of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Being part of the Blue Wave Campaign continues to illustrate the area's shared priority of continuing to nurture, preserve and appreciate the beaches."

For more information on Florida's beaches, call 1-877-FL-BEACH (352-3224) in the United States and Canada or 1-727-464-7200 internationally.