Remove floating beach club immediately off Comino coast, e-NGOs say

Updated 8.17pm

A number of e-NGOs, including by Din l-Art Ħelwa Għawdex, have called on the authorities to remove the controversial floating entertainment platform from Comino's water. 

On Monday, the high-end beach club, dubbed Noma Island, dropped anchor in front of Santa Marija Battery, which is located in a Marine Area of Special Conservation, after being moored close to the Valletta cruise port. 

Noma Island is a 1,750-square-metre floating recreational platform designed as a motorised trimaran-style vessel. It is still unclear what permit the platform has been granted, if any.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Gozitan NGO provided a photograph taken late on Monday evening showing an "unacceptable" level of light pollution falling upon Comino, even though no parties were taking place on board at the time.

"That alone is deeply disturbing. One can only imagine the far greater glare, noise and disturbance that will be generated once parties are being held and music is played on board," the statement read.

Din l-Art Ħelwa Għawdex also notes the concerns raised by BirdLife Malta regarding the impact of artificial light, noise and disturbance on seabirds and the surrounding marine environment.

"The situation is unacceptable. The authorities must act at once and ensure that Noma Island is removed without further delay."

On Monday, the Għajnsielem local council, whose remit encompasses Comino, took to Facebook upon learning of the platform’s location and said it has asked the relevant authorities to refrain from issuing a permit or to retract any existing permits.

The Għajnsielem mayor had already raised objections to the venue’s location at Comino after political party Momentum claimed that the event platform would be anchored there.

Not a 'free-for-all' 

Momentum called on the government to “immediately clarify” its position regarding the floating nightclub, insisting any permits should be published "without delay" urging enforcement action to be taken.

“The apparent establishment of a large floating structure in such a zone demands urgent scrutiny,” Momentum said.

It questioned whether Noma had been issued any permit and whether an environmental impact assessment had been conducted.

The party also asked “which authority” is responsible for monitoring and enforcement and how many environmental officers will be dispatched to Comino in summer.

Momentum insisted that all activities in and around Comino “must strictly adhere to environmental protections and planning regulations”.

“Malta’s natural heritage is not a free-for-all. The government must act transparently and decisively to safeguard it.”

Refuse operation rights

Nature Trust -FEE Malta joined the chorus of disapproval as it warned of “irreversible harm” to marine biodiversity and conflict with national sustainability objectives.

It argued the proposed floating entertainment facility is likely to  generate significant waste and noise pollution.

The NGO urged the authorities to “exert their pressure” and refuse Noma operation around Malta’s coastal area, as France did.