UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the Berlengas Islands, are considered a natural treasure located around half an hour away from Peniche, a coastal city located around 60 miles away from the capital city Lisbon. The islands are known for their stunning cliffs, caves, natural arches and crystal blue waters, and hailed as a biodiverse haven. But more than 80,000 people visit the enclave each year, with the highest number – 53,000 – flocking there in the summer months, according to the Nova University of Lisbon.

A staggering 1,000 tourists visit the Berlengas Islands each day – meaning the enclave’s natural resources are being put in danger.

But as the number of tourists to the islands increases, the Portuguese Government has enforced ‘Life Berlengas’, a daily cap on the number of visitors to the island.

The restriction, applied by the City Council of Peniche and the Association of Maritime-Tourist Operations has limited the number of daily visitors to just 550.

Local fisherman reported worrying signs of damage to the beautiful islands – which do not have supplies of running water and toilet facilities – and sounded the alarm.

Manuel Fernandes, president of the maritime association, said: “The limit of visitors will allow a better service and a better preservation of the island.”

Geographer Carlos Pereira said: “The island is less than a kilometre wide and you can only walk the trails.

“It has no running water (all that is consumed must be transported from outside) and infrastructures, such as toilets, are limited, not to mention the security conditions in the midst of such human saturation.”

Sérgio Ferreira, owner of a catamaran that services the islands, said he is aware of marine pollution caused by a rise in trip to the island and the increasing interest from tourists.

He said: “Extending a towel to sunbathe had become an impossible mission in the high season.”

Additional reporting by Maria Ortega.

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