Maria da Graça Carvalho, the Environment Minister, stated on Tuesday, March 3, in Albufeira, that stabilising the cliffs is a “super urgent” priority for the Government to ensure safety along the coast, following increased erosion due to recent storms. The intervention on the cliffs is one of the “necessary and super urgent projects to ensure the safety of beachgoers,” she said during a visit to Albufeira's beaches. The minister assessed damage caused by storms that affected mainland Portugal from late January to early February, revealing that the damage extends from Moledo to Vila Real de Santo António. The Algarve region faces the most significant issues with cliffs, resulting from recent storms. Carvalho mentioned that the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) is concluding a survey of the entire coastline, with findings to be presented in eight days. During her visit, she addressed concerns from Albufeira's mayor, Rui Cristina, regarding the need to save a rock formation at Peneco beach, which poses a danger of collapse. The minister plans to seek assistance from the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LNEC) for a technical solution. She outlined a strategy divided into three intervention areas along the coast, focusing on cliff safety, beach recovery, and medium-term projects requiring environmental impact studies. Short-term projects include preparing for the bathing season, with the aim of completing works before the season begins, using “quick and flexible” funding. Structural projects will require more extensive studies and are expected to be ready for next year's bathing season. The minister emphasised the need for thorough and effective action, noting that while the Algarve has the most complicated cliff issues, APA's monitoring is ongoing across the country. Work to reinforce the sand at some of the country's most iconic beaches is expected to begin between May and early June.