The Algarve’s anti-oil organisations today held a major event in Faro which included a march through the city's streets to protest at the government’s plans to turn the Algarve's offshore and onshore land into oil and gas production zones.
ASMAA, Allgrave, Tavira Em Transição, Faro Em Transição, Movimento Algarve Livre de Petróleo and more, each with their local supporters held a protest march and attended workshops and lectures.
The Algarve Surf and Marine Activities Association (ASMAA) gave a talk about activism against oil and natural gas exploration to give supporters a template to use in mounting their own protests against local oil and gas exploration.
The programme included alternative energy demonstrations and finishes this evening with a line-up of bands between 19:30 and 02:00 featuring Íris, Biopsia, Rhakatta, Epiphany, Al-Khimia, G.I.G.GY, The Wax Flalmingos, Trauma, Slug, A Chama and Canhões de Guerra.
The Algarve’s offshore has been divided into four exploration blocks currently held by the Repsol and Partex consortium.
Exploration and extraction licenses for onshore exploration were awarded last September to Portfuel for two onshore concession areas covering most of the region.
The programme is being hosted at the Recreational and Cultural Association of Musicians in Faro and represents the first event at which all the anti-oil exploration organisations and pressure groups have pulled together in protest at the government's planned exploitation of oil and gas.
