Turn down your music or face the music

If your music is playing too loud on a beach in Portugal this summer, you could pay a hefty fine. — AFP

On beaches everywhere one can see families building sandcastles, and sunbathers working on their tan. However, some beachgoers also seek to make their time by the water into something of a party, playing music over a connected loudspeaker, much to the annoyance of other holidaymakers.

The Portuguese authorities are getting proactive about the use of such devices in a bid to reduce noise pollution.

These small devices have become an essential in the luggage of many a holidaymaker, especially the younger generation: Bluetooth speakers. Ultra-practical for setting the mood wherever you find yourself, they’re increasingly being used in a range of locations, including beaches. A fact that Portuguese authorities haven’t failed to notice.

These little devices, which can be connected in no time to Spotify, Apple Music or another music streaming service, are subject to new regulations in the country, due to the noise they generate.

And the British media is passing along the message. On average, more than 2.5 million Britons spend their vacations between Porto and the Algarve. The Evening Standard reports that the Portuguese National Maritime Authority (ANM) has issued a notice concerning the volume levels of these connected devices. If they’re deemed too loud by other beachgoers, offenders can be fined 200 euros (RM1,018).

Repeat offenders risk an even more costly penalty – of up to 4,000 euros (RM20,372). Even more onerous are fines for groups of holidaymakers who turn up the volume excessively who risk facing a fine of up to 36,000 euros (RM183,354). To enforce this measure, Portuguese authorities are relying on tourists and local residents to report noise pollution and take action.

“We have seen this problem increase in recent years, and we are increasing our vigilance to combat it,” a spokesperson for the National Maritime Authority told the Evening Standard. And there’s no end in sight to the issue, as market research by Mordor Intelligence points to a boom in sales of Bluetooth speakers. Between 2021 and 2026, sales are expected to grow by 18.1% a year. The success of these devices is due, among other things, to their affordable price, compared, for example, to that of Wifi speakers. – AFP Relaxnews