Lisbon now has two months to adequately respond to the issues raised in the notification letter and, if this does not happen, the Commission may decide to send a reasoned opinion.

According to Brussels, Portugal has not established a system for monitoring the accidental capture and death of protected species such as the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and the river dolphin (Phocoena phocoena) in the waters under its jurisdiction, species strictly protected under the Habitats Directive.

The community executive also considers that Portugal has not taken the necessary steps to avoid significant disturbances of the last two species in several Natura 2000 sites designated for their protection.