Emergency Aid Urged After Storms Ravage Alcácer do Sal Fishing Port

The Alcácer do Sal municipality has formally asked Lisbon for emergency funds after February’s storms wiped out the Carrasqueira fishing hub, leaving 30 families with no catch and the town quay in tatters.

Why This Matters

• 30 low-income fishermen lost all earnings for 2+ weeks.

• The iconic Carrasqueira stilt pier, a tourist draw, is partly collapsed.

• Local shops along the Sado riverfront face costly repairs that insurance rarely covers.

• National relief will likely come from the €2.5 B “Kristin” package—but only if claims are filed quickly.

The Damage in Plain Numbers

Heavy rain pushed freshwater into the salt estuary, sending target species—especially choco (cuttlefish)—far downstream. With their small boats grounded, fishers report 100% income loss since 3 February. Meanwhile, merchants on Avenida dos Aviadores estimate “tens of thousands” in ruined stock after water levels rose more than 1 m. The town’s own assets—benches, lighting, playground flooring—also need replacement.

Where the Money Could Come From

Fundo de Compensação Salarial da Pesca (FCSPP) – pays up to 1 x IAS (€509) per month during forced stoppages. Fishermen must register their downtime on the Direção-Geral de Recursos Naturais portal within 30 days.

Programa Operacional Mar 2030 (FEAMPA) – calls due this spring include the line for “Rehabilitation of local fishing infrastructure.” Priority scoring favours projects that address climate resilience; engineers will have to show the new pier can survive stronger storm surges.

“Kristin” extraordinary credit line – the Portugal Cabinet earmarked €130 M for coastal municipalities; Alcácer do Sal’s application depends on a complete damage inventory by early March.

Private donations – the Carrasqueira association needs untreated pine and marine-grade bolts; firms can deduct 140% of the gift under Law 71/2019 on corporate patronage.

Municipal Game Plan

Mayor Clarisse Campos confirmed the council will finish its loss report “within a fortnight” and deliver it to the Portugal Ministry of Finance and the State Secretary for Fisheries. In parallel, the parish council is distributing food hampers funded by surplus tourist-tax revenue. The town also opened a one-stop desk in the old customs house where residents can:

• Get templates for FCSPP claims.

• Request fee waivers for rebuilding permits.

• Sign up for free psychological support provided by SNS24 Linha de Aconselhamento Psicológico.

What This Means for Residents

• Fisher families: File FCSPP paperwork fast; back-pay is limited to the date of submission.• Shop owners: Photograph every damaged item—Tax Authority auditors require proof before VAT write-offs are accepted.• Taxpayers in the district: Expect a temporary 0.05 pp bump in IMI surcharge next year; the council argues it is still cheaper than issuing debt.• Tourism workers: Spring bookings may dip while travel bloggers post images of the broken pier—local guides are re-routing walks to the castle to soften the blow.

How to Lend a Hand

Residents willing to help can drop construction materials at the Fire Brigade depot, contribute via the Atlético Clube Alcacerense solidarity IBAN, or volunteer for Saturday clean-ups coordinated through the Proteção Civil app.

The municipality stresses that all support—whether in euros, wood, or labour—must be logged so that future EU audits confirm transparency. That paper trail could be the difference between a swift rebuild and years of procedural limbo.