The issues of coastal erosion and the vulnerability of the Portuguese coastline were highlighted in RTP’s Linha da Frente programme through the report “O Braço de Ferro”, broadcast on 14 May 2026 as part of Season 18. The report explored the impacts of shoreline evolution across different regions of the country, highlighting the challenges associated with coastal protection, climate change adaptation, and the increasing pressure on coastal natural systems.
Among the invited experts was Paulo Baganha, researcher at CESAM/DGEO, who contributed to the analysis of coastal erosion processes and the morphological evolution of the Portuguese coastline. Throughout the programme, the impacts of sediment loss, shoreline retreat, and the growing vulnerability of beaches, dunes, and coastal infrastructures were discussed.
The report featured several examples from Portugal’s central coast, particularly Figueira da Foz and Praia de Mira, areas that have been especially exposed to the effects of coastal erosion in recent decades. At Praia de Mira, the coastal video monitoring system installed on the beach as part of the Shoresafety project was also highlighted. This system is used to monitor shoreline evolution and local sediment dynamics. The programme further showcased some of the coastal protection and reinforcement measures implemented in the area in response to increasing pressure on the coastline.
The programme also underscored the complexity of coastal management in Portugal within a context marked by sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and changes in sediment transport patterns. The need to balance the protection of communities, economic activities, and coastal ecosystems emerged as one of the central themes throughout the report.
The participation of CESAM researchers in science communication and public information programmes reinforces the research unit’s commitment to producing and transferring scientific knowledge to society, contributing to greater public awareness of the environmental risks associated with coastal change and climate change.
The report “O Braço de Ferro”, from RTP’s Linha da Frente, is available on RTP Play here.