The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 4th October 2023
by Mike Evans
Good Morning to you all. In a week where the Algarve has once again shown the world that it is a great place to holiday in, we also see that the situation regarding the supply of water to the region is again in the spotlight with the reservoirs showing just 27% filled which is very concerning for those of us who live here permanently. Whilst there are plans for a desalination plant to be built the chances of this being in operation before 2025 is pretty low. We all need to do what we can to conserve this precious commodity. If we don’t, there is a good chance that the tourism euros that so many rely on could dry up along with the tap water if the hotels, golf courses, apartments and other tourist attractions find themselves unable to operate if water is scarce.
Now let’s look at what else has been happening across the region in the past week.
Man dies on Nossa Senhora da Rocha beach
A 63-year-old Canadian man died on the afternoon of Sunday, October 1st, after going into cardiorespiratory arrest after diving at Nossa Senhora da Rocha beach, in Lagoa, announced the National Maritime Authority .
The alert was given at 16:56, through the Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center, and elements of the Portimão Maritime Police Local Command, elements of the Emergency Medical Vehicle and Resuscitation of the INEM and the Lagoa Volunteer Firefighters.
When these elements arrived at the scene, the victim had already been removed from the water by the lifeguards on duty, who had started basic life support maneuvers with a doctor who was also on the beach. INEM continued the maneuvers using the Automatic External Defibrillator and after several attempts, death was declared on the spot by the doctor from the Emergency and Resuscitation Medical Vehicle.
The body was later transported by the Lagoa Volunteer Firefighters to the Portimão Medical-Legal Office, after the Public Prosecutor’s Office was contacted. The local command of the Portimão Maritime Police took charge of the incident.
36-year-old man detained in VRSA on suspicion of child pornography
The Judiciary Police , through the Southern Directorate, arrested a 36-year-old man, due to strong evidence of the crime of pornography of minors, an illicit crime that occurred in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, it was announced today.
The facts came to the attention of the Judiciary Police through the individual “with whom the now detained person interacted, through social media applications and to whom he addressed several files containing explicit sexual acts carried out on and between minors”, details the PJ in a statement. The set of steps taken allowed “the collection of relevant evidence”, which culminated in the arrest of the suspect, who will be before the competent judicial authorities for interrogation and application of coercive measures deemed appropriate. The investigation is led by the Public Prosecutor ‘s Office , Department of Investigation and Criminal Action of Vila Real de Santo António.
High-speed vessel suspected of drug trafficking seized
The Navy and the National Maritime Authority, in cooperation with the Portuguese Air Force, seized a high-speed vessel suspected of drug trafficking off the Algarve, it was announced today.
In a statement, the Navy said that the joint operation took place in international waters 50 nautical miles, approximately 93 kilometres south of Portugal, which resulted in the seizure of a high-speed vessel.
According to the Navy, the vessel, which had 89 jerry cans of fuel on board, was carrying three male crew members, foreigners, aged between 27 and 53, who were identified. “The high-speed vessel was identified and monitored by the Portuguese Air Force, and was pursued by a ship and two high-speed vessels, one from the Navy, operated by Marines, and the other from the National Maritime Authority, manned by Maritime Police agents. ”, is mentioned in the note.
Since the beginning of the year, the Navy and the National Maritime Authority through the Maritime Police, in cooperation with the Portuguese Air Force, have made 81 arrests and seized 33 high-speed vessels with around 33 tons of drugs.
Algarve receives 958 thousand euros to support victims of domestic violence and human trafficking
The Government opened this Thursday, the 28th, a competition to finance with 958 thousand euros structures in the Algarve region to provide care and reception for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, announced the office of the Deputy Minister and Parliamentary Affairs .
In a statement, the Government states that it has opened three competitions, within the scope of the Algarve 2030 Regional Program, for care and monitoring structures for victims of domestic and gender-based violence, for emergency reception responses to victims of domestic and gender-based violence and for reception and protection structures for victims of human trafficking.
“Applications for the competitions, whose allocation foresees a period of 24 months, end on December 5th and are intended for entities of the National Support Network for Victims of Domestic Violence (RNAVVD) and the Support and Protection Network for Victims of Trafficking . Human Beings”, reads the statement. The Government will also support care, monitoring and specialised support actions for children and young people who are victims of domestic violence, as long as they are integrated into care structures.
Algarve is the Best Beach Destination in Europe for the 10th time
The Algarve won, for the tenth time and for the fifth consecutive year, the title of “Best Beach Destination in Europe”, awarded by the World Travel Awards , it was announced on September 29th by the Algarve Tourism Association (ATA).
The distinction was announced in Batumi, Georgia, during the ceremony of the 30th edition of what are considered the most prestigious awards in the tourism and travel industry.
The region once again won the preference of the main leaders in the tourism sector, who voted to reward the best tourist offer at European level, with the Algarve ahead of other renowned beach destinations such as Cannes (France), Corfu and Costa Navarino (Greece), Mallorca and Marbella (Spain) and Sardinia (Italy). “It is an honor to receive this distinction for the tenth time. We remain committed to making travelers aware of the natural beauty of the Algarve. As such, this award recognizes the work of all professionals in the region’s tourism sector who, through their dedication and professionalism, contribute daily to making this the best beach destination in Europe”, declares André Gomes, president of Turismo do Algarve .
Taking into account the region’s history in winning that award (which took place in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023), “this international recognition gives the Algarve the possibility of consolidating its already undeniable status as a seaside paradise. The beauty and diversity of scenery that the region’s beaches offer along 200 km of coastline – from extensive cliffs to small hidden coves -, combined with the sun and mild temperatures that are felt throughout the year, continue to make people delights for sea and sunbathing lovers”, highlights ATA in a statement.
In this edition of the World Travel Awards, several companies that represent the best that is done in terms of tourism in the Algarve were also distinguished. Among the winners are members of the Algarve Tourism Association such as Abreu DMC Portugal, Amazing Evolution, Conrad Algarve, Dunas Douradas Beach Club (Best Villa Resort), Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa, Monte Santo Resort Carvoeiro (Most Romantic Resort ) and Vale do Lobo (winner of Best ‘Lifestyle’ Resort).
Cascade Wellness, in Lagos, and Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort were also recognized as Best Sports Resort as Best Villa Resort.
Water Levels in The Algarve still in Decline
The scarcity of water in river basins worries experts. At the end of September, only 69% of the total volume was stored in Portuguese reservoirs.
According to reservoir monitoring data from the National Water Resources Information System (SNIRH), the amount of water stored in September 2023 was below average in six of the country’s river basins. This represents approximately 36% of monitored reservoirs with water availability greater than 80% of the total volume, while 24% of them have water availability below 40% of the total volume.
Nine of the river basins recorded values above the average for the month. The highest storage levels at the end of September were observed in the Douro basins, with 89.7% of the total volume, Lima, with 80.5%, and Cávado, with 77.5%. However, these numbers are not enough to alleviate concerns regarding water scarcity. Comparing storage at the end of September 2023 with the storage averages for the month of September in previous years (1990/91 to 2021/22), a worrying situation is observed. Most river basins have storage levels below historical averages for this month. The basins of Vouga (68.4%), Sado (37.1%), Mira (31.3%), Arade (27.2%), Ribeiras do Barlavento (7.8%) and Ribeiras do Sotavento (28 .2%) are particularly below average.
Along with Portugal, neighbouring Spain is in an even more critical situation, which could have more serious consequences on the national territory, in the medium and long term. Scarce water resources and lack of significant precipitation have seriously affected several regions. However, Portugal continues to feel the impacts of the imminent drought. In particular, the Algarve region, for example, faces structural problems of lack of water, and the lack of investment in sustainable solutions is a cause for concern.
Have a great week.
The anomaly is up to seven, eight or nine degrees. We have temperatures above average for this time of the year and this will continue in the coming days. For example in Bragança temperatures reached 31.4º C on Sunday. “It is well above average, because the normal temperature for this time of year is 21º C”.
According to the movement, at around 9am today, ten activists sat on the floor of the Second Circular, next to the Lisbon Towers, while two others hung with ropes from the pedestrian bridge.
The first named storm of the autumn and winter season is expected to hit the United Kingdom and Ireland today. Named by the Met Office, Storm Agnes is likely to bring damage and disruption from strong winds and heavy rain. The Met Office severe weather warnings are already in force but we expect to get further updates as the week progresses.
A few minutes after the start of the conference, when the Minister of the Environment took the floor, the three young women went to the stage and threw green paint that hit Duarte Cordeiro on his clothes, while shouting slogans protesting the Government.
More than 30 people were accused of fraud and forgery crimes, for having appropriated land and houses that did not belong to them. One of the accused was João Pereira, former councillor of the Olhão Chamber, who was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Authorities have closed a Liquefied Petroleum Gas ( LPG ) filling station in the Algarve, which will be dismantled as it represents a “potential danger” to the local population, announced the National Entity for the Energy Sector ( ENSE ).
According to The Daily Telegraph, it states that the bank began a review of its international offerings in 2021 and is now writing to customers with a six-month warning and that a Barclays spokesman stated that “UK products are designed for customers living in Britain”. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) added that “it was a commercial decision as banks are allowed to set their own rules on customers which they accept.”
In this piece, using some of the information from Ekonomista, we will cover the main aspects to consider before venturing onto Spanish roads.
Hundreds of animals have died from alleged poisoning after eating contaminated meat in the municipalities of Albufeira and Silves, which is why the GNR is in the process of investigating.
In statements made to the French newspaper Le Parisien, Jean-Noel Barrot expressed the hope that Apple can resolve the issue through a software update that reduces the levels of radiation emitted by the iPhone 12. Apple now has two weeks to submit a response and, if it fails to do so, the French government could order the withdrawal of all iPhone 12 devices in circulation in France.
The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Faro and the Regional Commander of Emergency and Civil Protection of the Algarve, Vítor Vaz Pinto, who highlighted the importance of integrating these new professionals to reinforce the response capacity of the city’s Sapadores Firefighters, which now has 56 members on the active staff. After welcoming the professionals who joined the company, Vítor Vaz Pinto thanked the firefighters for their “resilience and professionalism” and highlighted the investment made by the municipality to guarantee the “strengthening of the corporation’s intervention capacity”, the municipality said in the statement. .
He called for the reforming the Security Council in line with today’s world. “It means redesigning the international financial architecture so that it becomes truly universal and serves as a global safety net for developing countries in difficulty”.
Remember also when driving the safety of your pet(s). If you’re traveling with your pet, remember there are rules to follow, so choose the best form of transport This can be a carrier box – protects the animal and defends it in case of an accident; a chest / collar worn by the animal attached to the seatbelt – good option on longer journeys, as it prevents the animal from being confined to the space of the carrier box or a divider net or grid – option only for dogs, so they travel between the back seats and the boot compartment.
At the start of this year’s UNGA, Guterres took the opportunity to point directly to Derna, in Libya, as an example of the “sad portrait” of a world of inequalities and injustices, where thousands of people were “victims of leaders – near and far”.
With the reinforced capacity, which CUF Açores is now guaranteeing to the Region, there will be cardiac surgery in the Azores which will reduce and even eliminate the list of around 120 patients over time. “It is my deep conviction that by the end of October we will have this offer registered”, stated the President of the Government.
On September 12th, Madeira Wine Company launched 11 new wines that were separated by 3 of the company’s brands:
With the region experiencing a welcome dousing of rain in the past week it is an opportune time to raise the issue of water usage and the consumption from the area. The month of August was the fifth hottest in mainland Portugal since 1931, with two heat waves and an increase in the drought situation reaching 97% of the country. The Algarve was one of the territories that showed the decrease in the percentage of water in the soil throughout the territory. In the Algarve the percentage values of water in the soil is below 10%, and in many places “the water content in the soil is at the level of permanent wilting point”.
A joint operation by the Navy , National Maritime Authority (AMN) and the Air Force, carried out on the night of Wednesday, the 6th, resulted in the seizure of 46 bales of hashish, around 1.6 tons, six jerrycans of fuel , a high-speed vessel and the arrest of six suspects for drug trafficking, was announced by AMN.
And Finally, if you want to try some new foods from Portugal and around the world but don’t want to spend out on a full dinner then you should try Another edition of Rota do Petisco is back, which runs from September 15th to October 15th, organised by Teia D’ Impulsos, the organisation announced.