The Amoeiras Beach, in the municipality of Torres Vedras, near Santa Cruz, is part of the national network for monitoring marine litter on beaches, coordinated by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), which enables monitoring of the presence and evolution of waste along the Portuguese coast, according to a press release.
According to the same source, the monitoring conducted within the scope of this network allows identifying and quantifying the waste found on the shore, contributing to a better understanding of the coastal reality and to the definition of measures for the prevention and reduction of marine pollution.
At Amoeiras Beach, among the identified waste, there are mainly fragments of plastic and polystyrene (Styrofoam), including smaller particles. Cigarette butts and filters are also found, along with other waste such as ropes and cords, packaging, caps, and sanitary articles.
The presence of these materials highlights the impact that littering can have on coastal ecosystems and the importance of adopting more responsible behaviors, both in public spaces and along the coastline.
The identification and classification of the waste are performed according to the methodology defined by the OSPAR Convention, which establishes common criteria for monitoring marine litter on beaches.
The participation of Amoeiras Beach in the national network allows tracking the evolution of marine litter along the Torres Vedras coastline and obtaining relevant information for the protection of coastal ecosystems.
However, in 2026 no marine litter monitoring was carried out on this beach due to the prohibition issued by the Captain of the Port of Peniche, following the landslide that occurred at the site earlier in the year.
The 2025 Macro-litter Monitoring Programme report for beaches on Mainland Portugal is available for consultation on the website of the Portuguese Environment Agency.
