People of Lomba Tantum wait in despair for the fish transport cable car to be repaired
Cidade de Nova Sintra, January 31, 2026 (Bravanews) - The population of Lomba Tantum is going through moments of growing apprehension and despair at the paralysis of the cable car that, for years, has been used to transport fish from Tantum beach to the town of Lomba, a distance of less than 600 meters. The infrastructure, considered vital for the local fishing industry, has been inactive for more than two years, with no concrete solution in sight so far.
The cable car significantly facilitated the transportation of fish caught by artisanal fishermen, reducing the physical effort, costs and time involved in transportation. With its inoperability, the fishermen and fishmongers are now forced to transport the fish up steep and slippery paths, a painful task that gets worse on hot days.
According to reports from the community, the situation has caused considerable economic damage, with fish losses and a reduction in the income of families who depend directly on fishing for their livelihood. "Some days the fish spoils before it even reaches the town. It's a daily hardship," laments a local fisherman, who is calling for urgent intervention from the authorities.
Residents of Lomba Tantum say that, over the last two years, several communications have been made to the competent authorities, but so far the promises of repair have been nothing more than that. According to information provided to our newsroom, the estimated cost of repairing the cable car is around 2,500 contos, a figure that the population considers relatively modest given the strategic importance of the infrastructure for the local economy.
The community fears that the prolongation of this situation will lead to a weakening of fishing activity in the area, further aggravating the social and economic difficulties of families. For the inhabitants, repairing the cable car is not a luxury, but a basic necessity to guarantee dignity, safety and better working conditions.
The people of Lomba Tantum are calling on the government, the town hall and the institutions linked to the fisheries sector to intervene urgently and return to the community a piece of equipment that has always been a pillar of local development. In the meantime, the wait continues - and despair grows with each passing day.
