The Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR) was present at the “First Stake” ceremony of the Lagos Marina & Yacht Club expansion project, in a symbolic moment that marks the beginning of an investment considered structural for the city of Lagos and the region.
The president of CCDR Algarve, José Apolinário, highlighted “the strategic importance of recreational boating and the qualification of riverfronts for economic development, the creation of qualified jobs and the reinforcement of the competitiveness of the Algarve as a nautical destination of excellence”, framing the project within the concept of “recreational ports and green marinas”.
The project integrates a set of investments with a global value of around 12 million euros, of which approximately three million are allocated to the qualification of the fishing area, promoting a link between recreational boating, maritime-tourist activities and the valorization of fishing communities.
Blue Economy and regional investment
In his speech, José Apolinário thanked “all the entities that made the advancement of this investment possible, in particular the company MarLagos”, further arguing that “the Sea Satellite Account should evolve into a presentation of data disaggregated by region-plan, allowing the specific contribution of the Algarve to the Blue Economy to be accurately assessed, which, according to the most recent report released in November, represents 4.3% of the national Gross Value Added, admitting that, in the case of the Algarve, this relative weight may be around double this reference, given the strong regional specialization in activities linked to the sea”.
The official also argued that “the multi-annual investment plan for emergency dredging should be allocated on a regional basis, as well as ensuring its management at a regional level”.
Monitoring of nautical projects and riverfronts
Within the scope of its competences, CCDR Algarve, through the organic units of Environment, Spatial Planning and Regional Development, has monitored licensing and environmental assessment processes related to nautical infrastructures for recreation and cruises, shipyards and requalification of riverfronts.
In the last five years, several projects have included the intervention of CCDR Algarve within the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment Legal Regime (RJAIA) and the National Ecological Reserve, including the expansion of the Lagos Marina, the Olhão Recreational Port, the Faro Recreational Dock, the Vilamoura Marina, the Nave Pegos shipyard, the Baleeira Port and the requalification of several riverfronts in Faro, Olhão, Ferragudo and Vila Real de Santo António.
The entity highlights that these investments contribute to the consolidation of an economic cluster associated with repair, maintenance and shipbuilding, as well as technological innovation linked to the sea.
Urban requalification and sustainable development
The requalification of riverfronts has assumed special relevance in denser urban areas, contributing to territorial appreciation, improving quality of life and reinforcing tourist attractiveness.
For , the expansion of the Lagos Marina & Yacht Club constitutes another step in affirming the Algarve as a national and international reference in the sea economy, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to sustainable, balanced development that generates value for the region.
Also read:
