Government orders Berlengas visitor revenue to fund nature conservation and better staff conditions

Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho has issued an order, published in the Diário da República, setting new duties for the nature conservation agency ICNF on the Berlengas Nature Reserve. Staff on the island must get year-round electricity, a boat for regular transport, a suitable vehicle and better housing, safety and communications. The BerlengasPass access system is to be made simpler and more transparent, with tighter control of revenue and visitor numbers, and part of its income will go to ecological restoration. The ICNF has 15 days to report on progress and 30 days to present a plan, plus a four-year revenue account.