Gonçalo Tomé (Mare Nostrum / RC Figueira da Foz)
Georges Lebeau & José Alberto Pereira (End Plastic Soup Portugal / RC Atlântico)
The Portuguese Rotary Movement welcomes, as host and co-organizer, the Portugal Azulproject, led by Ignacio “Nacho” Dean, also a Rotarian, and supported by the European Rotary project End Plastic Soup.
Portugal Azul is a nautical expedition that will traverse the Portuguese coast—both mainland and islands—from March to July 2025, stopping at various ports. Its goal is to assess the level of plastic and microplastic contamination in coastal marine ecosystems and to raise awareness about the need to prevent and mitigate the environmental impact of these materials. To this end, public sessions with schools and other organizations will be held throughout the journey.
The project’s scientific component, which involves the analysis of samples collected during the expedition, will be coordinated by the University of Coimbra and research centers focused on marine litter issues, from the Department of Life Sciences. At the end of the expedition, the goal is to map the Portuguese coast in terms of marine pollution caused by plastics and microplastics.
This is a broad, bold, and impactful project that relies on the collaboration and commitment of all Portuguese Rotarians, regardless of their age, club, or district. Our ambition is to mobilize entities associated with marine issues at the national, regional, and local levels. We aim to make each of the nine anchoring points a milestone for the clubs, organizations, and nearby communities. This will only be possible with the collaboration, participation, and above all, the commitment of all Portuguese Rotarians so that we can make 2025 a remarkable year for Portugal.
To learn more and join the team, contact us via email (…). We’re counting on you!
