Television channel NOW carried a disturbing investigation on Sunday, showing that people trying to access beaches by the Costa Terra luxury resort met unexpected obstacles, and ‘disincentives’. Quercus is thus demanding explanations from the Environment Minister and the Mayor of Grândola, accusing the former, and Portuguese Environment Agency APA of “pulling the wool over the Portuguese people’s eyes regarding the monitoring of public access to the beaches”. “It is not enough to put up signs indicating that access to the beaches is public”. This case should serve as an example for future tourism developments to avoid obstacles to the public use of beaches, writes SIC Notícias on its website today. Talking after the exposé on NOW, lawyer Fernanda de Almeida Pinheiro explained that, when faced with these situations, citizens should call the police and/ or file a complaint with the Portuguese Environment Agency, municipalities and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.