Alcantarilha: Extreme water shortage is causing dramatic consequences to wildlife

Environmental organisation, Almargem, recently became aware of the dramatic situation that has been occurring for several weeks at Foz da Ribeira de Alcantarilha, due to the extreme water shortage in the final section of the river.

As a result of this situation, there has been a huge mortality of animals, particularly fish, due to the lack of water and low oxygen concentration.

As soon as it became aware of the situation, Almargem immediately inquired with the authorities, namely the Silves City Council and the Portuguese Environment Agency, in order to find out if they were aware of the situation, and if so, what measures they would take URGENTLY (downstream or upstream) in order to avoid or alleviate this worrying situation.

 

In particular, they want to ensure measures have been planned so that, in the future and in a timely manner, this situation does not happen again, as long as ecological flows are maintained that will ensure the conservation and maintenance of this ecosystem.

 

In previous years, the lagoon has maintained ecological flows, even with considerable eutrophication, especially during the summer season. Therefore, Almargem do not understand why the current situation has been allowed to happen, and the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), the responsible entity, has allowed this point of rupture and death to be reached, without taking action.

 

So far, there has been no response from the APA. Given the seriousness of the situation, Almargem publicly expresses an enormous concern about the water shortage situation at the mouth of Ribeira de Alcantarilha.

Foz Ribeira de Alcantarilha is included in the area proposed to integrate the future Natural Reserve - the creation of which remains pending for unknown reasons, after 3 years of Public Consultation.

ALMARGEM is a non-profit Non-Governmental Environmental Organization (NGO) registered with the Portuguese Environment Agency, with a focus on ecological and cultural awareness-raising projects, while maintaining constant surveillance and intervention in the face of threats and attacks that affect the environment and cultural heritage of the Algarve.

W: https://almargem.org/