Fishermen and environmentalists contest the construction of a dam bridge in Aveiro. The work will block waters in the Rio Novo do Príncipe and prevent the passage of fish to spawn in fresh waters.
The work, spoken almost 20 years ago, began construction in June, in Rio Novo do Príncipe, in Aveiro. Construction of the dam will soon begin.
A structure was designed to prevent salt water from the Aveiro ria from invading the agricultural land of Baixo Vouga Lagunar. But fishermen in the region say the The dam will also prevent the passage of fish into the fresh waters of the Vouga River.
You fish need to reproduce in fresh watersfurther up, on the Vouga, Águeda and Alfusqueiro rivers.
Those who live from river fishing fear that the bridge-dam, in the Vouga estuary, jeopardize this livelihood and the conservation of migratory fish.
In the tributaries of the Vouga River, has been under development for seven years, by Évora Universitya habitat restoration project for several fish species. The work of Life Águedawith European investment of 3.3 million euros could be at stake with the construction of the dam.
To SIC, the Portuguese Environment Agency responds that a study is planned to be carried out and must be delivered within six months before the dam work is completed. This assessment will dictate whether the fish pass through or whether it is essential to build a passage for them.
A Intermunicipal Community of the Aveiro Region (CIRA) is responsible for the work. It guarantees that the hydraulic operation will respect the migration periods of the species, and that the floodgates will be opened when necessary.
The environmental impact study that gave the green light to the project was carried out in 2003, more than 20 years ago.
Fishermen and environmentalists ask this Government to carry out a new study, reevaluate the intervention and redo the projectto include a fish passage and thus guarantee the conservation of migratory species.
