Young migrants who landed on Monte Gordo beach transferred to Portuguese Refugee Council

moroccan refugeeThe eight young Moroccan migrants who landed in the Algarve on Wednesday this week will be hosted by the Portuguese Refugee Council (CPR) in Lisbon. The young men applied for international protection status during the early hours of today. This means that they cannot be detained for illegal immigration, the Foreigners and Border Service (SEF) have confirmed.

Architects sign manifesto against new bridge in Tavira that will “increase traffic to historic centre”

tavira bridgeThe “Tavira Sempre” movement is back in the news after reading out a manifesto last night during a Tavira Municipal Assembly meeting. The manifesto states that the group is “against the lack of reflection on the new bridge project over the Gilão River”.

Controversial fracking masterplan to sell gas and oil drilling exploration rights finally trashed

fracking trashedA set of highly disputed plan to sell off gas and oil drilling rights throughout Portugal, over land and sea, has finally been scrapped.

Eight young Moroccan migrants land on Monte Gordo beach “cold and hungry”

moroccan migrantsThis Wednesday morning eight young men arrived on a boat at Monte Gordo beach in the Algarve, according to Maritime Police. Commander Fernando Pereira da Fonseca revealed that all of the eight migrants are between 16 and 20 years old, and claim that they are Moroccan. They were initially taken to the local Maritime Police command Vila Real de Santo António, where they were “fed and treated because they were cold and hungry”. Later, they left the captaincy of the port of Vila Real de Santo António and are now in the custody of the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF).

Environmental authorities condemn new 25 acre mega-clam-farm in Ria Formosa

clam condemnThe DGRM's (Directorate General for Natural Resources, Safety, and Maritime Services) approval of a mega-clam-farm covering 10 hectares in Ria Formosa has sparked opposition from ICNF and APA, following a complaint filed by the Culatra Island Residents Association (AMIC) after permission was granted for the Aquaculture Activity site to go ahead with being set up.

Olive sector on edge of collapse due to processing strains

olive sectorThe Olive sector, consisting of olive harvesting and olive oil production, in Portugal is on the brink of collapse in Southern Portugal. This is due to the lack of storage capacity of the region's factories to house pomace from the mills.

IPMA study reveals unexpected rise in sardine population numbers

sardine risingA study into the stuck of sardines in Iberian waters carried out by IPMA (the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atsmosphere) and its Spanish counterpart (the Institute of Oceanography) has revealed a sharp increase in the population of sardines populating the sea.

Order of Doctors fires back at delusional Health Minister for “hiding reality of the Algarve’s hospitals”

hiding realityThe Order of Doctors said today that Health Minister’s statement that there is “no shortage of doctors” at Faro Hospital is "absolutely false", after she refused to acknowledge the issues plaguing the hospital’s surgical team, that have resulted in surgeons warning that they will refuse to work overtime after the 1st of January.