NAPLES, Fla. - Southwest Florida beaches left battered by a tropical storm earlier this summer are set for another lashing from Tropical Storm Isaac.

Isaac, on a track that could send it just west of Southwest Florida or right over it, could further erode beaches already in need of renourishment and could wash out what's left of a successful sea turtle nesting season.

"I have no clue what to expect from this," said Maura Kraus, manager of the sea turtle monitoring program for Collier County. "We are just hoping for the best."

In June, Tropical Storm Debby plowed through the Gulf of Mexico on its way to a landfall in the Florida Panhandle. Along the way, the storm hammered Southwest Florida beaches for three days.

Almost 600 sea turtle nests, each with as many as 100 eggs, were flooded or washed away from Collier beaches in Debby. Fewer than 500 nests are left on the beach, Kraus said, and more are hatching every day. More than 1,200 sea turtle nests were laid on Collier beaches this year compared to 751 last summer, according to county figures.

In south Lee County, monitors have counted 129 sea turtle nests, 43 of which already have hatched. Another 20 nests have been lost, according to the nonprofit Turtle Time.

Because turtles that nest on Southwest Florida beaches, mostly loggerheads, are protected species, state and federal rules don't allow the nests to be moved out of harm's way, Kraus said.

Since Debby, sea turtles have been mostly laying eggs high on the beach, but it remains to be seen whether that will be far enough from the Gulf of Mexico to be protected from Isaac.

At the Vanderbilt Beach Resort, manager Mick Moore is worried that not enough beach is left between the hotel and Gulf to keep Isaac from overtopping the seawall.

Moore was concerned enough to install a giant sandbag, called a TrapBag, about 2 feet tall and 100 feet long, on top of the seawall to try to buy some insurance, he said.

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Experts: Several Naples, Florida...

SHELBYVILLE While the water levels at Lake Shelbyville are below a normal summer level, beaches and boat ramps at the lake remain open.

The lake level was 598.31 feet above sea level on Friday, which is 1.39 feet below normal, according to Doug Vogel, interpretive services and outreach ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Vogel said all beaches and boat ramps along with other recreation areas at Lake Shelbyville are open over the Labor Day weekend, but he said there may be sand bars and tree stumps not visible when the water is low. People are asked to watch for shallow areas.

The lake's beaches are expected to close for the season after Labor Day.

For more information, call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake Shelbyville Project Office at 217-774-3951.

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Beaches, boat ramps remain open at Lake Shelbyville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville should not expect a million dollar fee from Neptune and Atlantic Beaches anytime soon.

Leaders with both communities sent a letter to Mayor Alvin Brown and city council president Bill Bishop detailing that they will not pay tipping fees for hauling trash to the county landfill.

COJ officials say they are owed a $1.4 million in combined fees over two years for dumbing garbage in Trail Ridge Landfill.

A team of consultants advised the mayorsthe coastalcommunities on the matter.

The letter states, "based on a review of said information and the language and terms of the Interlocal Agreement, it is the position of both Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach that "tipping fees" may not be assessed by the City of Jacksonville for the Fiscal Years of 2011-2012 or 2012-2013. We remain open to any comments or suggestions you or your staff may have."

The fee fight dates back to last year when Jacksonville City Council members approved the measure.

Councilman Stephen Joost told Action News earlier this month that the coastal communities need to pay up. "They're in tight budget times and we're in tight budget times. They want us to cut our budget all the way, they need to cut theirs too."

Atlantic Beach commissioner Maria Mark says Jacksonville blindsided the beaches with these fees.

"Even if we have to pay this tipping fee to Jacksonville, I don't know if that's going to solve those other budget problems that they have. Certain funds are restricted through certain uses," said Mark.

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Beaches trash Duval County tipping fees

In a nation of more than 300 million, a small county in the Pacific Ocean thats home to just over 155,000 people has nearly a quarter of the countrys best beaches.

Maui is called The Valley Island, but in most travelers minds, its beaches are synonymous with the Hawaiian island. In the annual Best Beach contest held since 1991, Maui has won four times five, if you want to stretch the definition of Maui. Maui County includes the islands of Molokai and Lanai. A beach on Lanai was the winner in 1997.

And Maui isnt done. A remote beach in an area once favored by Oprah Winfrey made this years Top 10 and is likely to win the top spot eventually.

Its not all good news for Mauis famous beaches. A U.S. Geological Survey report says Maui has the highest rate of beach erosion in the state. Data from 1899 to 2007 shows Maui beaches averaged 6.7 inches of sand lost each year. The worst impact is on the north shore near Paia. Erosion rates are somewhat higher in the Kaanapali area than in Kihei or Wailea.

As to the rankings, Ive criticized the methodology of the contest put out each spring by Dr. Beach, Stephen Leatherman, a Florida oceanography professor. He has a big East Coast bias. But we cant argue with his favorites in Maui. Here are the big five, along with the next champion in waiting. The year the beach won the contest is in parentheses.

D.T. Fleming Beach Park, Maui (2006): Ive taken my share of knocks at this great bodysurfing beach on the sometimes turbulent northwest shore of Maui. When youre feeling a bit winded from battling the waves, there are shade trees along parts of the mile-long strand. When you are ready to call it a day, head uphill to the bar at the Ritz-Carlton for some sundowner drinks and pupus.

Kaanapali, Maui (2003): The busiest beach on this list, its fronted by a string of hotels from the Sheraton on the north to the Hyatt on the south and the Whalers Village shopping mall in the middle. With all the fancy resort swimming pools, guests sometimes that forget a world-class beach is just on the other side of the walkway. Theres usually gentle surf and knockout views out toward Lanai. My favorite spot is Black Rock at the north end of the beach, with its excellent snorkeling and the crazies jumping off the rock.

Wailea Beach, Maui (1999): Wider, hotter and less crowded than Kaanapali to the north, Wailea is also fronted by luxury hotels and rocks in portions, but wide sands in other areas. The drop-off is gradual here, making it good for kids if the waves arent up. The view here is also outstanding, with views toward the tiny Molokini crater dive spot and the island of Kahoolawe, once used for Navy target practice.

Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui (1991): The first best beach on Leathermans list is still one of the islands prettiest, though in the intervening decades, development has taken over the slope just above the beach, replacing palm trees and greenery with hotel and condo units. The beach is still a beautiful crescent of blond-colored sand fronting aquamarine waters.

Hulopoe, Lanai (1997): Lanai is officially part of Maui County, governed from the Maui town of Wailuku. If you want to get political, it could be included in Mauis best beach count. Theres actually a geological basis for inclusion with the other beaches. Lanai and Molokai were once part of Maui Nui, the massive, ancient volcanic island that collapsed into the sea millions of years ago. Hulopoe is the best beach in the Hawaiian islands that barely anyone gets to. Its next to the Four Seasons Manele Bay on the former pineapple plantation island. There are trees for shade and a nice mix of tourists and locals.

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‘Best beaches’ abound on tiny isle of Maui

By Sean ORiordan

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Seven beaches in Co Cork have reopened after the latest test results showed a significant fall in E.coli levels.

Meanwhile, bathers in Galway were waiting for further tests at Grattan Beach, near Mutton Island, which was closed earlier this week because of excessive E.coli bacteria.

The decision to reopen the Cork beaches was taken yesterday after the county council published another batch of test results the second within 24 hours.

Last week, Youghals Front Strand, Claycastle, and Redbarn beaches were closed because tests showed levels of E.coli in bathing water breached EU limits of 2,000 particles of E.coli in 100ml of water.

Beaches at Garryvoe, Garretstown, Oysterhaven, and Coolmaine were also shut.

Oysterhaven had over six times the permitted level of the bacteria at 12,033, while Fort Strand was nearly four times over the limit.

Tests at Oysterhaven on Monday, and published on Thursday, showed a fall to 175 and a test there on Wednesday, published yesterday, showed a fall to 75.

Similar significant decre-ases were recorded at the other affected beaches.

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Cork beaches reopen as E.coli reaches safe levels

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Submit your photos and videos of Issac to our Participate site.

NAPLES Southwest Florida beaches left battered by a tropical storm earlier this summer are set for another lashing from Tropical Storm Isaac.

Isaac, on a track that could send it just west of Southwest Florida or right over it, could further erode beaches already in need of renourishment and could wash out what's left of a successful sea turtle nesting season.

"I have no clue what to expect from this," said Maura Kraus, manager of the sea turtle monitoring program for Collier County. "We are just hoping for the best."

In June, Tropical Storm Debby plowed through the Gulf of Mexico on its way to a landfall in the Florida Panhandle. Along the way, the storm hammered Southwest Florida beaches for three days.

Almost 600 sea turtle nests, each with as many as 100 eggs, were flooded or washed away from Collier beaches in Debby. Fewer than 500 nests are left on the beach, Kraus said, and more are hatching every day. More than 1,200 sea turtle nests were laid on Collier beaches this year compared to 751 last summer, according to county figures.

In south Lee County, monitors have counted 129 sea turtle nests, 43 of which already have hatched. Another 20 nests have been lost, according to the nonprofit Turtle Time.

Read more from the original source:

Experts: Several Naples-area beaches at risk of severe erosion from Isaac

Cork County Council had issued the warnings on Friday last after heavy rainfall caused the levels of E coli at the beaches to breach EU mandatory permitted values.

However, the council said subsequent tests had shown the levels of E coli had ''significantly decreased'', while samples taken on Wednesday at all beaches indicated ''further water quality improvement''.

As a result the council, with the agreement of the HSE, has removed its recommendation not to swim at Youghal, Claycastle, Redbarn, Coolmain, Garretstown, Oysterhaven and Garryvoe beaches.

Redbarn, Garryvoe and Garretstown all have Blue Flags, which can now be flown again.

However, bathing restrictions are still in place on Grattan Beach in Salthill, co Galway, due to a high level of E coli in the water there. The water will be tested again tomorrow morning.

View original post here:

'No Swim' warning removed from seven Cork beaches

By Sean ORiordan

Friday, August 24, 2012

Confusion reigned yesterday as lifeguards warned swimmers not to bathe at seven beaches in Co Cork, despite test results showing they were within permissible EU levels for the bacteria E.coli.

Cork County Council published the results shortly after 10am yesterday showing that all seven beaches were considerably below the permitted EU level of 2,000 E.coli particles per 100ml of water.

However, as a delighted Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Barbara Murray, went for a dip in her hometown of Youghal, lifeguards rushed over to prevent herself and some companions from swimming at the Front Strand.

Cllr Murray said shed seen the test results and carried on regardless. "The results speak for themselves," she said.

The mayor said she wanted to show people it was now safe to bathe at the towns Front Strand, which had the countys second highest E.coli reading when tested last week.

Similar confusion occurred at the towns remaining Blue Flag beach at Redbarn.

Quality Hotel general manager Alan McEnery directed his guests to go swimming across the bay in Ardmore, Co Waterford, after E.coli at Redbarn exceeded acceptable levels last week. He said he was "absolutely delighted" to tell them yesterday morning that Redbarn was safe again.

"We were telling our customers that the water was fine. But no Blue Flag had been put up and then lifeguards were telling people not to go in," he said.

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Confusion as beaches declared to be safe

Marina Del Rey

Debbie Talbot tapped as Beaches and Harbors Boating Section head

The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors has promoted Debra Talbot as head of the new Boating Section of the department.

Beaches and Harbors spokeswoman Carol Baker said that one of the departments strategic goals has been to establish a Boating Section, and that in a major step toward achieving that goal, Talbot will engage in a variety of efforts aimed at building a thriving boating community in Marina del Rey.

A boater for nearly 50 years and a 25-year resident of Marina del Rey, Debbie has been with DBH since 2002, serving as a senior marketing analyst in the Community and Marketing Services Division, Baker said. Debbie has played a leadership role in many of the departments strategic communications efforts, creating the Beaches and Harbors Communications Strategy, the Los Angeles Beach Guide and the Marina del Rey Boaters Guide.

She has served as the departments public information officer and helped launch and maintain DBHs social media platforms. In addition to managing Anchorage 47 as well as mast-up and dry storage facilities, Debbies new position will continue to entail the use of multi-media communications and collaborative efforts with boaters and boating entities to further the Boating Sections objectives, Baker noted.

Since 2004, Debbie has been the project manager for the highly successful Marina del Rey WaterBus that has shuttled over 200,000 riders since its inception and garnered a National Association of Counties Achievement Award. Since 1999, Debbie has served on the board of directors for the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade and was appointed vice president in 2002.

Among many maritime-related activities, Talbot joined the largest yacht charter operator in Marina del Rey, FantaSea Yacht Charters, to charter her sailboat and joined the Catalina Fleet of Santa Monica Bay in 1995. She has been a member of the California Yacht Club since 2009 and currently serves on the board of directors for the Marina del Rey Historical Society.

Baker said that prior to joining Beaches and Harbors, Talbot worked in the private sector for over 20 years in corporate crisis communications, public relations, marketing and television production. Her client roster included Beaches and Harbors, for whom she helped promote the summer concert series via cable TV ads that helped garner a corporate sponsor.

As a collegiate athlete, Talbot set a womens lacrosse record for a goalkeeper with the most saves against an opponent - 31 against Penn State University - that still stands today, Baker said.

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Debbie Talbot tapped as Beaches and Harbors Boating Section head

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island public health officials have reopened two beaches in Warwick two swimmers and closed two others in Middletown following recent water tests.

The Department of Health announced Thursday that Conimicut Point Beach and Oakland Beach in Warwick are now open for swimming.

But they said water quality tests at Peabody's Beach and Third Beach in Middletown showed high levels of bacteria that make swimming unhealthy.

The health department monitors water quality at public beaches during the summer months to ensure it is safe for swimmers.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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RI reopens 2 beaches to swimming, closes 2 others

Jersey Shore shark feeding frenzy Jersey Shore shark feeding frenzy

Updated: Thursday, August 23 2012 9:10 AM EDT2012-08-23 13:10:46 GMT

Sharks were caught on video in a feeding frenzy only 50 feet off the Jersey Shore. The footage was captured by a videographer last week at Island Beach State Park.

Sharks were caught on video in a feeding frenzy only 50 feet off the Jersey Shore. The footage was captured by a videographer last week at Island Beach State Park.

Updated: Thursday, August 23 2012 7:27 AM EDT2012-08-23 11:27:34 GMT

State environmental officials are monitoring reports of discolored water because of algae off some New Jersey beaches.

State environmental officials are monitoring reports of discolored water because of algae off some New Jersey beaches.

Updated: Wednesday, August 22 2012 11:08 PM EDT2012-08-23 03:08:22 GMT

A hot line meant as a resource for the elderly in New Jersey has become a little too hot to handle. A phone number that used to belong to a service agency for the elderly is now a phone sex line. The number

A hot line meant as a resource for the elderly in New Jersey has become a little too hot to handle. A phone number that used to belong to a service agency for the elderly is now a phone sex line. The number

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Algae spotted off some N.J. beaches

MONMOUTH COUNTY State environmental officials are monitoring reports of discolored water because of algae off some New Jersey beaches.

Phytoplankton samples are being collected at beaches in Monmouth County after the microscopic plants were spotted around Asbury Park, Avon and Bradley Beach.

The Environmental Protection Department says the plants generally are not harmful to humans. However, heavy concentrations that remove oxygen from the water may be deadly to fish and shellfish.

More Jersey Shore news

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Officials looking into algae found in waters off N.J. beaches

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 23, 2012 /CNW/ -

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (TGT) serves guests at 1,772 stores across the United States and at Target.com. The company plans to open its first stores in Canada in 2013. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers branded proprietary credit card products. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. For more information about Target's commitment to corporate responsibility, visit Target.com/hereforgood.

Social Media for Target Canada: Twitter: @Target_CA - Hashtag #BullseyeBeach Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TargetCanada

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Target Celebrates the End of Summer with "Target Bullseye Beaches" Across Canada

By Sean ORiordan

Thursday, August 23, 2012

One of the seven Cork beaches closed due to pollution had more than six times the EU permissible limit for the potentially fatal bacteria E.coli.

It emerged yesterday that a test reading taken at Oysterhaven, near Kinsale, last week showed an E.coli presence of 12,033 particles per 100ml of water. The maximum safe limit is 2,000 per 100ml.

Thats significantly more than Youghal Front Strand, which had a reading of 7,701.

Cork County Council said it expects further test results to be known this morning. However, its unlikely that all seven beaches will get the all-clear.

Further tests were also carried out yesterday at Youghals two other beaches in Redbarn and Claycastle, as well as Garryvoe, Garretstown, Oysterhaven, and Coolmaine, near Kilbrittain. The results of those will be known tomorrow.

Children, meanwhile, were enjoying water sports in Oysterhaven yesterday.

A spokeswoman for the Oysterhaven Centre which specialises in marine pursuits said programmes had been adapted to ensure children, in particular, "were in boats on the water and not in the water".

She said all swimming activities had been cancelled in line with advice from the local authority. That would continue until water quality, locally, had improved.

Read the rest here:

Beach pollution six times EU limit

LDW approaching, still no sign of RVs on Wildwood beaches

Last updated 8/21/12 05:44 pm

"It's actually one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard of" said Chris Henderson, Board of Directors, Wildwood Ocean Towers.

Weeks after a promising period where many thought that recreational vehicles would hit the Wildwood beaches this summer, there is still no sign of RVs on the city's beaches but still plenty of controversy with people who are against the idea.

"I definitely don't want to see them on the beaches here" said Dennis Herrighty, summer renter at Wildwood's Ocean Towers.

The city had posted stakes on the South end of Wildwood off Bennett Avenue to host parking for 80 RVs on its beaches but those poles were recently removed. That gave Ocean Tower employees and residents some hope that the idea may be out the window.

"We are hoping that it is on the back burner" said Henderson. "We have several pending sales with people waiting to find out what the decision is on the RVs. They are interested in purchasing a beautiful oceanfront property with a magnificent view but they don't want it to overlook a RV park" said Henderson.

But Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano says the posts being removed doesn't mean that RVs won't be strolling through the city's beaches sometime soon.

"Were just looking at some issues that came up and trying to resolve those and move forward" said Mayor Ernie Troiano, Wildwood. "As it stands right now, were looking at different problems that were arisen by people complaining as well as those who have legit concerns" said Troiano.

And that the possibility of moving the potential RV site just a few blocks away from Bennett Avenue and the Ocean Towers, is now a possibility.

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LDW approaching, still no sign of RVs on Wildwood beaches

Scientists say unusual tides and currents are bringing the creatures, which pose a danger to bathers because they are so difficult to spot, towards shore.

"We are dealing with a species that potentially poses a great danger because of their high level of toxicity," said Luis Lara, head of Cepesma, a marine species protection organisation.

"It is a plague of proportions never seen before. There are great banks of them covering between a mile and a mile and a half from shore," he said.

Images showed tens of thousands of the pinkish globes washed in with the tide, covering sandy beaches usually packed with holidaymakers.

The Red Cross organisation, which provides lifeguards on popular beaches and has been treating hundreds of bathers for stings, said the beaches would likely remain closed over the next few days.

"Close inspection of the waters and sandy areas across the region will have to be undertaken before we can consider opening the beaches again," explained Enrique Perez Fernandez, head of the western zone for the organisation.

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Deadly jellyfish close beaches in Spain

By Sean ORiordan

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Bathing water at contaminated beaches in Cork had nearly four times the permitted EU level of the E.coli bacteria, which if ingested can cause severe vomiting, diarrhoea, and in some cases even death.

The highest reading for the bacteria, which is normally found in excrement, was at Youghals Front Strand.

Its not safe to bathe where the level of faecal coliforms, such as E.coli, exceed 2,000 in 100ml of water. At the Front Strand a reading taken on Aug 14 was 7,701.

The strand, along with the towns Claycastle beach, lost its Blue Flag status for high-quality bathing water last year.

The faecal coliform reading at Claycastle was 3,964, while Youghals only remaining Blue Flag beach at Redbarn had a reading of 2,481.

The second highest reading of 6,488 was recorded at Coolmaine beach, near Kilbrittain. At 4,106, the Blue Flag beach at Garryvoe had a reading more than double the EU limit, while Garretstown, also a Blue Flag beach, registered 2,909.

No reading was available for Oysterhaven, which was also closed by Cork County Council officials last Friday due to a breach of E.coli levels.

Under EU legislation which came into effect last year, council officials are obliged to put up warning signs at the beaches, while lifeguards operating there told the public it was not safe to swim.

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Beaches in breach

The Irish Times - Tuesday, August 21, 2012

OLIVIA KELLEHER

BEACHES IN Co Cork affected by E.coli will not be open to swimmers until at least tomorrow as Cork County Council waits for test results on water samples taken yesterday.

People are being asked not to swim at Garrettstown, Redbarn, Garryvoe, Coolmaine near Kilbrittain, Oysterhaven and the Front Strand and Claycastle in Youghal until the restrictions are lifted. Public notices banning swimming were first posted by Cork County Council last Friday. It is thought the spike in E.coli levels was caused by the bad weather that hit the south of the country last week. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Health Service Executive are liaising with the council on the water tests.

Youghal councillor and mayor of Co Cork Barbara Murray said she was confident the situation would improve by tomorrow.

She said a waste treatment plant was a priority for Youghal, with two strands in the town losing their blue-flag status arising out of the absence of such a facility. Claycastle and Front Strand lost their blue flags after failing to meet the water quality criteria set by An Taisce for the international 25th anniversary Blue Flag Awards announced earlier this year. Untreated waste is being pumped directly into the sea in Youghal.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Phil Hogan has pledged that 18 million will be invested in a wastewater treatment plant in Youghal. The proposed scheme will provide improved wastewater treatment infrastructure in the town and its environs which will meet national standards for sewage treatment.

It is widely accepted it will be a number of years before Youghals blue flags will be reinstated because of guidelines requiring the recording of water quality to be of the highest standards for three consecutive years.

Three of the E.coli-affected strands at Garrettstown, Garryvoe and Redbarn are blue flag beaches. The flag is a voluntary eco label awarded to more than 3,500 beaches and marinas in 33 countries in the northern hemisphere.

Yesterday Fianna Fil councillor and mayor of Bandon Gillian Coughlan expressed her concern that the seven beaches in Co Cork had been shut due to poor quality water. This is a hugely concerning situation which needs to be resolved quickly. Its the high tourist season and the last thing we need is seven of the most popular beaches in Cork to be closed for swimming.

Originally posted here:

Cork beaches shut as tests carried out

As millions of Italians soak up the sun on their annual summer holidays, not even the beaches are safe from the scrutiny of the countrys tax police.

Tax officers have resorted to going undercover in board shorts, T-shirts and sunglasses to root out tax evasion among stabilimenti the operators who hire out umbrellas, changing cabins and sun loungers to beachgoers.

Members of the Guardia di Finanza normally wear military-style grey uniforms with elaborate braiding and epaulettes, but a team of officers donned beachwear so as to pass incognito while they carried out their spot checks.

In the Adriatic resort of Rimini , famed for its miles of golden beaches and lively bars and nightclubs, they found that 15 out of 36 beach-hire businesses were breaking the law by failing to give out receipts for their services. The blitz, as it was dubbed by the Italian press, was carried out last week to coincide with the Ferragosto national holiday, when most of the country is basting in the sunshine at coastal resorts.

The agents carried out the checks on a broad stretch of beach either side of the five-star Grand Hotel, a famous establishment which featured in the films of Federico Fellini, who grew up in Rimini.

Many of the owners of the beach-hire businesses are suspected of having evaded taxes for years, depositing their money in bank accounts in the nearby independent republic of San Marino, which is trying to shake off its reputation as a shady tax haven.

Similar results were obtained when inspectors checked bathing establishments in Ostia, a popular beach resort near Rome 62 out of 95 businesses were caught out not giving receipts to their customers.

Italys fight against tax evasion received has renewed impetus under the technical administration of Mario Monti , the former European commissioner who replaced Silvio Berlusconi in November (Stuttgart: A0Z24E - news) .

Mr Monti said on Sunday that the country was in a state of war against tax evaders. Tax evasion badly damages the perception of Italy abroad, Mr Monti said in an interview with news magazine Tempi .

I think Italy finds itself in difficulty above all because of this phenomenon and finds itself in a 'state of war. There are rich Italians who systematically do not pay their taxes.

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Italian tax inspectors go undercover on beaches

Our readers' pick of the best beaches in England, Scotland and Wales.

Originally posted here:

Britain's best beaches: readers' choice