As part of the government’s list of things to devolve to the nation’s local Councils, Portugal’s beaches soon will run by municipalities.
The transfer of beach management was detailed in Diário da República last Wednesday and from January 1, 2019, municipalities will be responsible for sea, river and lakeside beaches which at the moment are covered by a plethora of authorities.
In return for rents from concession, Councils must ensure that bathing areas are clean and that all the infrastructures and equipment, car parks and toilets etc, are maintained and in working order.
Importantly, local Councils will be in charge of the lifeguard service but the power to pounce and fine stays with the national maritime police service.
Strangely, the devolvement of power decree is voluntary but states, somewhat hopefully, that Councils are best placed to run their own beaches and that this is important "in environmental, social and economic terms."
