Returning with her family to Portugal after the fall of the Estado Novo regime, she studied at a high school in Portimão on the Algarve coast, which is where she developed her interest in the sea and nature conservation.
The project involved an investment of 2.4 million euros - 50% financed by the LIFE - Nature programme of the European Commission, and the remaining 50% by the cement company Secil.
[1][3][4] Cunha became president of the Regional Directorate of the Liga para a Proteção da Natureza (League for the Protection of Nature - LPN) of the Algarve.
As president of LPN, she focused on the conservation of species and habitats characteristic of Portugal and also raised issues such as plastic in the oceans, the sinking of ships to create artificial reefs and tourism development with negative environmental consequences.
[1][3] In 2012 Cunha moved to the United Kingdom, at a time when resources were very scarce in Portugal and there wasn't enough funding for many projects, which were her source of income.