Photography: AZUL
José Salvador, popularly known in Ericeira as ‘Zé Inglês’, has been Guardian of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve – EWSR since the beginning of this year. Closely linked to the foundation of Ericeira Surf Clube, he has lived abroad for more than 27 years, in several countries, without ever having lost his hometown of sight or heart. In this interview, he talks about the roles he performs, the identified problems and some possible solutions for the future.
When did you start to act as a Guardian of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve?
I started this year, right on the 1st of January 2022.
our purpose is that by 2030 our coast and the Mafra Municipality will be a management and sustainability model
What are the main problems or the most serious situations that you have identified during this period?
Given the success of the EWSR and the work, dedication and excellence of all the entrepreneurs who develop their activities related to Surfing, Ericeira has grown tremendously and is today a case study. As in all cases of success and rapid growth, there was no opportunity or time to control and supervise this activity, so there are several issues that will have to be resolved, such as: number of surf schools on our coast; beaches where the practice of surfing can or should be controlled or the creation of areas reserved for the practice of this sport; some lack of vigilance due to lack of personnel to do so; uncontrolled parking in beach areas; bad campervan parking.
Do people contact you to report situations of misuse that should deserve attention from the authorities?
Yes, and it’s actually a great help, because I can’t be everywhere and the Summer in Ericeira is really extraordinary in terms of the number of visitors, so there are parking and cleaning problems that lead to the Parish Councils of our coast having a gigantic job to keep their parishes orderly and clean.
the authorities are aware of the risk that Ericeira takes regarding its future if we do not adjust the rules
How do people get in touch with you? Is there a phone number and email address for the Guardian of the Reserve?
I usually use two types of contacts. Private are really the ones I use the most, as a lot of people already know them: +351 919 895 600 and jose.salvador@globe-cms.com – the Guardian’s official contact is +351 912 224 321 and the email is jose.salvador@giatul.pt. I am available 24 hours a day on +351 919 895 600 and always reachable.
Is there a message you want to send to the community, the authorities or tourists and other visitors?
We all know that we are at the risk of irreparably damaging the activity of surfing and not just on our coast. The decisions to be taken, which will form part of the sustainability model, will not be consensual and will not satisfy everyone. But our purpose, in this work, is just one: that by 2030 our coast and the Municipality of Mafra will be a management and sustainability model, and that all those who have adapted to the rules of the created model will be successful with their activities or business and that Ericeira and the Municipality remain a reference in Portugal and in the world for the future. I would like to ask everyone to look at what they can do to help in this process and to be united to defend our village and our county, leaving the criticism to others, because if those who criticize see that many more are helping they will shut up and they will come to help us. The locals and the true lovers of Ericeira have to set an example, because everyone loves our land but no one loves it more than those from here. It’s time to grab this opportunity that they gave us, tooth and nail, demonstrating that together we are capable and that we want the best for our land and our Municipality.
Esta publicação também está disponível em | This article is also available in: Portuguese (Portugal)
