Alonso Miguel delivers equipment to support the cleaning of the sand at Porto Pim beach

March 24, 2023

The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Change, Alonso Miguel, delivered this Thursday equipment to support cleaning the sandy beach of Porto Pim, on the island of Faial.

“Our islands have been severely affected by the massive stranding of the invasive Asian alga called Rugulopterix okamurae, which has great potential to cause negative impacts on the environment, biodiversity, the economy and the welfare of populations, which, of course, has also affected very significantly the Porto Pim Beach, which is part of the Faial Nature Park and that, therefore, it is up to the Regional Government to manage it,” stressed the ruler on the occasion.

In this context, Alonso Miguel pointed out that “once identified the problem, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change, in a diligent manner, sought to find the necessary solutions, the most immediate of which is to empower the Public Administration with the means and equipment capable of responding to this phenomenon, which will allow it to ensure the cleaning of Porto Pim Beach throughout the year, with daily frequency, if necessary, and without affecting or causing significant impacts on the beach”. 

According to the governor, “this is an investment of about 200 thousand euros, which allowed the purchase of three fundamental pieces of equipment, namely, a sand cleaning machine, a multifunctional tractor, with various equipment, which will also serve to tow the cleaning machine and a vehicle to transport the algae”.

“Today also ends the technical and operational training of the Secretariat's employees for the proper use of this equipment, so it is with great satisfaction that, from this moment on, we place them at the service of the community, thus ensuring a quick, effective and less impactful management in the cleaning of the Porto Pim Beach sand, with obvious benefits for Faial and for those who visit us,” he added.

Alonso Miguel also took the opportunity to “salute the enormous joint efforts made throughout this last year, in the scope of the cleaning works carried out, with the scarce resources available so far, also highlighting all the dedication and excellent articulation verified between the several departments of the Regional Government involved, namely the Environment and Climate Change Service, the Forestry Services and the Delegation of Public Works of Faial, as well as the helpful and indispensable collaboration provided by the Horta City Council”.