The Fishing Port of Baleeira, in Sagres, is "very degraded" and "puts into question the safety of its users", denounced the Association of Fishing Owners of Sagres and the Parish Council of Sagres, in a joint letter delivered to the Minister of Sea when visiting Sagres, for the opening ceremony of the XXXI World Underwater Hunting Championship.
The letter, signed by Mário Galhardo, president of the Shipowners Association, and Luís Paixão, president of the Parish Council, is accompanied by photographs that show, in particular, the degradation of the passageways where boats dock and park.
«The concrete is crumbling, putting the iron in sight, the metal stairs are in a high state of degradation, having already caused some accidents, which one day could have serious consequences, the fenders are crumbling , putting vessels and the berthing process at risk', they list.
"The arrangement of the Fishing Port is chaotic, both on land and at sea, making it very difficult to dock at the fish auction unloading dock, the oldest floating dock and access to the lifeguard installations", they add.
“What about the safety of fishermen when they arrive at Porto da Baleeira and try to climb the stairs?”, they ask. "Who will take responsibility when disaster strikes?"
In their letter, the municipality and the shipowners also make suggestions so that the local economy can take advantage of the tourism that Sagres seeks, but without affecting the activity of fishing professionals. «The Porto da Baleeira is an infrastructure, which, if “designed” in order to be able to receive tourists, without interfering with professionals, can be an asset to the economy of Sagres and the region».
One of the suggestions is the creation of conditions at Lota de Sagres to receive visitors, «so that they do not interfere in the work of professionals and could see the transaction of the “best fish in the world”».
Another suggestion is the creation, «in the medium term», of a Recreational Port, «with all its features».
This port, they argue, would open «doors to new perspectives for the tourist exploration of Sagres and the Algarve. We are certain that the navigators preferred Sagres as a stopover, either because of its geographic location or because of the symbolism of visiting “Vila do Infante”. This infrastructure would provide direct and indirect employment through the creation of numerous services».
While this investment does not advance, and in the "short term", the Council and Parish and Association of Shipowners propose the creation of a "temporary shelter place where recreational vessels can shelter, rest and supply, with toilets, showers, supply of water and fuel'.
“In order to leverage this infrastructure, it is necessary to draw up a project with a vision of the future and not isolated isolated interventions, as has been happening and is expected to happen. The port of Baleeira has to be thought of as a whole, where fishing and tourism cohabit the same space, without interference»», they advocate.
One of these specific interventions, according to the signatories of the letter, is the new floating unloading dock, to support small-scale fishing, installed by Docapesca, and which was inaugurated by minister Ana Paula Vitorino on Friday, during her visit to Sagres.
Because, they point out, «the current reality of Porto da Baleeira is that of a totally degraded and disordered equipment that, in addition to jeopardizing people's safety, transmits to visitors a degrading image of a European Union country whose main sector of the economy, tourism».
The Parish Council of Sagres and the Association of Fishing Owners of Sagres also take the opportunity to invite the official to return to visit the Fishing Port of Baleeira, but «to listen to those who work there daily, those who know the sea currents, those who know the predominance of the winds, so that, together, solutions can be found that meet all sides».
On her visit to Sagres, this was not the only challenge that the Minister of the Sea expected. Ana Paula Vitorino was also approached by members of the informal group “Stop Petróleo Vila do Bispo”, which contests the planned hydrocarbon prospecting hole off the coast. Costa Vicentina.
The protesters handed over to Ana Paula Vitorino a document where the signatories to fired of her functions as Minister of the Sea, since, in her opinion, "has not known how to honor" such a position.
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