Volunteers are needed to sign up for the ‘Operação Praia Limpa’ beach cleanup initiative taking place along several beaches in the Algarve.
The event will be held on Sunday, May 12 in the boroughs of Albufeira (Praia dos Salgados and Praia da Galé Oeste), Silves (Praia de Armação de Pêra and Praia Grande) and Lagoa (Praia da Srª da Rocha and Praia Nova). Volunteers can sign up until Friday, May 10.
‘Operação Praia Limpa’ was created in 2017 by the Zoomarine theme park in Guia and is now held every year.
Says Zoomarine, the goal is to collect as much rubbish as possible along many kilometres, both on the coastline and underwater. “The problem of rubbish on our beaches needs to be tackled.”
The first 150 people to show up in each borough will receive a commemorative t-shirt; and all participants will be given a snack and a digital diploma. “But, most important of all,” say organisers, “they will take with them many happy memories.”
To sign up, visit: https://weprotect5.wixsite.com/operacaopraialimpa
“Plastic-free Ria Formosa” project wins international competition
A project that envisions a “plastic-free Ria Formosa” was selected as one of the winners of an international competition organised by the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA).
The victory means that the project will receive funding from the association to help with clean-up initiatives in the estuary.
On its Facebook page, the Algarve-based association aECO (Association for Ocean Studies and Conservation) thanked all those who voted and supported the project.
“It was great to feel your support, but it was even better to realise that this is not the only project that is gaining strength, there are many other similar initiatives flourishing around the world,” the association wrote.
aECO also revealed that it is preparing to carry out the beach clean-up initiatives that were already planned for July but which now will also include an underwater clean-up, thanks to this victory.
