Pedro is a 50 year old fisherman in Olhao with a family of 6 to support. He received notification that he is NOT ALLOWED to fish between Vila Real de Santo Antonio and Faro because of gas and oil exploration taking place. He has just been told that 6000 km2 have been blocked off and access denied to all the fishermen in that area. He is devastated.
Should Pedro persist with his fishing activities while forbidden to do so because of oil and gas exploration, he will face hefty fines ranging from €400 a €2500 in his personal capacity, not to mention that he could even be facing jail time for doing what he has always done for the past 20 years – fishing and feeding his family.
So he has two choices – comply and not feed his family, or fish and pay a fine or even go to jail.
Above is just one of the outcomes that the Algarve will be facing once oil and gas exploration goes ahead in our oceans starting next year. Once the first platforms hit our waters.
Is this what you want to see?
Last year our fisherman experienced a bit of the things to come when they were prevented from fishing from the 5th of March until the 19th of May because of offshore oil and gas exploration surveys.
Now the question is - does the oil and gas companies have the right to prevent the local fisherman from earning a living? Do you think that its right?
We don't!
And we are prepared to stand up and fight for their rights, what about you? Are you prepared to stand up and assist us?
We need 100 000 signatures on our petition, we need to inform people of what are their rights. Help us to reach them.
DONATE 10, 20 OR 50 EUROS TO THE CAUSE
Account Holder: ASMAA Algarve Surf and Marine Activities Association
NIB: 0038 0000 40309681771 32 (If you are in Portugal)
IBAN: PT50 0038 0000 40309681771 32 (International payments)
BIC: BNIFPTPL
REF: Algarve Oil / Your Name
Pedro’s story is one that clearly illustrates that if we do not do something about this, it will spread right through the whole of the Algarve in the years to come, and could result in disastrous impact on other industries like tourism, hospitality and agriculture. It could be you and your family next!
We still have an opportunity to act, provided we act fast.
ASMAA has taken action and the campaign will be officially launched on the 3rd of December. But to be effective it needs resources.
To read more CLICK HERE.
