The Port of Lisbon Authority and the Portuguese Environmental Agency carry out a joint project for dredging sand from the main entrance channel of the port and use it in beach nourishment at nearby beaches (Costa da Caparica beaches).

These beaches in 2005/2006, because of a series of huge storms generating big waves along the coastline, suffered extensive erosion and the sand disappeared. This left the village and population in the surrounding area vulnerable and in danger.

So, in 2007, an emergency beach nourishment project was undertaken for economic and social purpose. It lasted for 3 years and involved the nourishment of 2.5 million m³ of sand onto the beaches. Because of maritime conditions, dredging could only be done in the summer time, which coincides with the busy tourist season and lots of people are on the beach.

Therefore the stakeholders (the Port Authority, the Environmental Agency, the Municipality, the fishermen and also the population in general) had lots of meetings and open sessions before, during and even afterwards to discuss and plan a balanced approach to the sand placement.

It was possible to make a plan to close only one or two beaches, fill them with sand, open them again and then move to another beach, for 3 months in the summer. The meetings helped to reach a successful outcome and keep the beach users happy. This joint venture between The Port of Lisbon Authority and the Portuguese Environmental Agency was clearly a win-win solution since the beach was nourished, the port had its main entrance channel dredge, and costs were also divided between the two organisations involved.