To save Comino, we must be bold
We must stop treating Comino as a commercial playground and start treating it as the national treasure it is
If we are truly committed to preserving the Blue Lagoon in Comino for future generations, the time has come to take bold, uncompromising action. The current proposals made by Edward Zammit Tabona (July 13), the CEO of the company that operates Captain Morgan cruises, are well-intentioned but they fall short of what is necessary to safeguard one of Malta’s last remaining natural gems.
Twenty years ago, I proposed that all boats, large and small, should be banned from entering the Blue Lagoon. At the time, this was seen as a radical idea. But, today, as we watch the relentless degradation of Comino’s ecosystem, it is clear that half-measures are no longer enough.
In Lampedusa, access to Baia dei Conigli, one of Europe’s most beautiful natural bays, is strictly regulated. No vessels are allowed to enter. This protects the bay’s fragile environment while still allowing people to enjoy its beauty. Why should Malta’s Blue Lagoon deserve any less protection?
We must stop treating Comino as a commercial playground and start treating it as the national treasure it is. Malta is not blessed with vast natural wilderness. What little we have left – places like the Blue Lagoon, Fomm ir-Riħ, il-Maqluba and Buskett – must be cherished and protected. Yet, again and again, these spaces are exploited, degraded or paved over in the name of short-term gain.
Comino is a case in point. The Blue Lagoon has become a symbol of over-tourism – a pristine bay turned into a chaotic summer circus of deckchairs, loud music and diesel fumes. If we continue to commercialise what little natural space we have left, what will remain for our children? What will remain of Malta that is not concrete, noise or exhaust?
A viable solution is, however, within reach. We could construct a new docking point at Ras il-Ħmara, requiring all commercial and private vessels to moor there instead of directly in the lagoon.
From this point, a carefully planned footpath, environmentally sensitive, well-managed and accessible, could lead visitors to the Blue Lagoon. This would preserve access without destroying the very thing that draws people to Comino in the first place: its untouched natural beauty.
Moreover, the current permit system should not only be retained but significantly strengthened. A daily cap on visitors – realistically enforced and transparent – is essential. Without it, the ‘protection’ of Comino will remain an illusion.
A modest €2 entrance fee could also be introduced- Tony Zammit Cutajar
A modest €2 entrance fee could also be introduced. If visitor numbers are capped at 5,000 per day, this could generate an estimated €1.5 million annually that would contribute to the cost of construction of the footpath and to improve basic facilities such as toilets, waste management and signage, all without burdening taxpayers.
Of course, these measures could restrict certain commercial activities. But that is a necessary trade-off. What is the point of economic activity if it destroys the very resources it depends on?
Malta cannot continue to sell off its few remaining natural assets just to prop up unsustainable models of tourism.
We must ask ourselves: Who are we building this future for – and what will be left of Malta to inherit?
This is not just about Comino. It’s about shifting our national mindset. We need a culture that values conservation over consumption; that protects rather than exploits; that looks beyond the next summer season or fiscal quarter and asks: What legacy are we leaving behind?
Preserving the Blue Lagoon demands political will and a shared vision of long-term sustainability.
We must stop sacrificing nature on the altar of profit. We owe it to future generations – and to ourselves – to act now, decisively and boldly, before it’s too late.
Tony Zammit Cutajar is a retired businessman and the former Norwegian consul general.