Oyster farm near Albufeira

The Albufeira Council and the local fishermen are against the installation of an aquaculture farm in the sea destined for the production of oysters and scallops.

The private project is in the public consultation phase until the 17th of this month. "This aquaculture will collide with the activities of artisanal fishing and nautical tourism and also with maritime traffic, because it is on the way to the entrance of the port," says CM Carlos Silva e Sousa, mayor of the city, adding that "the public interest should prevail. "

The matter will be discussed this week at a meeting of the chamber, and it is expected that a resolution will be approved against the project. An earlier request for the installation of an aquaculture off the town had already received strong opposition from the local authority and was eventually dismissed. Hélder Correia of the Association of Professional Fishermen in Albufeira added that there are other examples in the Algarve that show that these kind of projects do not bring anything good.

According to the request submitted to the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services, the project provides for the installation of an aquaculture unit in an area of two hectares at sea, about 7.2 kilometers southwest of the port of Albufeira.

The investors asked for a 10-year license "to have the financial return on investment," ensuring that "no biological, chemical or drug products will be used."