Fish, concentrated in what is left of the water in several of the Alentejo’s reservoirs, are making the water undrinkable.
At least 150,000 kilos of fish, mostly carp, are now being captured in operations at Vigia, Monte da Rocha, Pego do Alter and Divor reservoirs in the Alentejo.
The reason is simple, drought, which has left reservoirs dangerously low.
"The operation will prevent the water quality of these reservoirs from deteriorating," said Carlos Martins, Secretary of State for the Environment.
The decision was taken last Wednesday, August 9th at a meeting of the regional dams’ management Committee in Évora. The operation to catch the fish "will cost between €120,000 and €150,000" said Carlos Martins, payable to Empresa de Desenvolvimento e Infra-estruturas do Alqueva, S.A. (EDIA), the company that manages the vast Alqueva reservoir, using money from the Environmental Fund.
The fish will be killed and used in the production of animal feed.
The reservoirs providing water to the public and for agricultural are at very low levels - Vigia's, for exapmle, is down to 14% capacity.
The ministry has found that farmers have been taking more water than they have been allocated, but Carlos Martins explained that, "they now have committed to consume less water to ensure there’s a public supply for a year."
The lack of rain has hit cereal farmers with production down 20% for wheat, rye, barley and oats. The National Institute of Statistics said, with characteristic insight, that it’s a lack of rain coupled with this summer’s excessive heat.
"The conclusion of the harvest of autumn/winter cereals in the regions south of the Tagus has confirmed the forecasts of a decline in production compared to the previous year."
“There are production falls of 25% in durum wheat, used to make spaghetti, and 15% in soft wheat, from which bread is produced and which the most important in respect of the tonnes produced in Portugal.”
Livestock also are being affected by the high temperatures and dry conditions, "There also is an increase in the number of farms without the capacity to meet the watering needs of livestock from their own resources, with more frequent transportation of water needed from public water reserves. The price of extra water and the cost of energy to pump water from existing boreholes and lakes has causes an increase in farming costs.”
Agriculture Minister, Capoulas Santos, already has admitted for livestock, this is a "particularly difficult" year, as it is for grape production, “there is some concern about the effects of water scarcity on wine quality."
On the plus side, orchards are doing well with a good fruit harvest expected, 20% up for apples, pears and peaches.
