Ericeira WSR Update: Coastline Protection and Cleaner Water

The Local Stewardship Council (LSC) announced plans for permanently protecting a critically important zone of the Ericeira coastline while also restoring native habitat. This project prevents encroaching development in the coastal zone, creates natural resiliency in the face of climate change, and provides access and recreation for the community.  At the same time, the Municipality of Mafra, a key member of the LSC, committed significant resources to the planning and construction of new infrastructure to address long-held concerns over water quality in the WSR.
 

This was all made possible by the hard work, dedication and collaboration of the Local Stewardship Council members of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve. This partnership includes representation from the Municipality of Mafra, Ericeira Surf Clube, Salvem O Surf, and Associação dos Amigos da Baía dos Coxos (AABC). It is clear from this success that protecting surf ecosystems requires the commitment and dedication of elected government as well as civil society organizations for large scale ecosystem conservation to be durable and lasting.

As the Ericeira Pro contest went on in the background, the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve hosted the final day of the Global Wave Conference and welcomed participants on a tour of the surf breaks of the Reserve. Local leaders presented the critically important coastal restoration project mentioned above near Praia de Empa and Save The Waves hosted a workshop highlighting the stewardship work and approach of the entire World Surfing Reserve network.

 

In a powerful recommitment to the work of conservation, the leaders of the Local Stewardship Council also signed an MOU with Save The Waves committing to shared goals in the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve Stewardship Plan.