Occupation of Blue Lagoon

Michael Hare

Aug 22nd 2008, 10:24

Let’s not get sidetracked by politics here. If the people wish to change things it matters not what political party is in power. I complained to M.E.P.A about the conditions at "the blue lagoon" their reply to me was its nothing to do with them, try Ministry of Tourism!! This is very strange as in July 2006 M.E.P.A drew up plans which include the following regarding Comino. This smacks to me of a "pass the buck" attitude.

a) promote sustainable use of the area;
b) regulate diving activity in the waters around the island;
c) regulate boating and yachting activities, including
anchoring, in order to ensure safety to swimmers and
other users of the area and safeguarding important
benthic habitats;
d) establish swimming zones in the Blue Lagoon, San
Niklaw and Santa Marija Bays;
e) regulate and rationalize maritime traffic, especially in
the bays;
f) regulate harvesting of marine living resources;
g) promote research on the marine environment;
h) monitor the quality of the marine environment; and
i) establish an educational programme centred on the
Marine Conservation Area (MCA).

Angelica Bossert

Aug 22nd 2008, 01:54

K Vassallo: Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't AD in favour of keeping and integrating all illegal immigrants? I do not condone the squatters alluded to in the letter and comments, but aren't illegals, in a sense, a worse kind of squatter?

K.Vassallo

Aug 21st 2008, 08:59

This is all Mlp's fault..instead of bringing up the issues at heart to the people, the issues which really effect us, the issues which are disgusting us, Joey Muscat comes up with laughable, silly items, such as to bring down voting age to kids level. What is the opposition doing to pinch the government where it hurts...surely the vote to the kiddies will not hurt this government, if anything it will bring it more votes next election!!!!!! Mlp could have a field day with the, I dont give a damn what squatters do at ghadira, armier, kemmuna etc... instead it remains mum. Labour..dont expect my vote next election...it will go to AD again...the only party that really spoke up about squatters and businessmen who take up our beaches.

F Bonello

Aug 20th 2008, 22:53

@ Joe Scerri

We have reached the point of no return!!!!!!!

John cassar

Aug 20th 2008, 22:25

It is a real shame but this is CAPITALISM! Instead of having a manageable system in place with longevity in mind, too many greedy people are short sighted which will lead to the destruction of the area, environment and reputation. All the hard work destroyed in a short time. Remember, as the tourists increase and only limited destinations are offered, this will only keep occuring unless the authorities are made accountable. And if it keeps going like this, one day you'll wake up and it will all be gone, no more tourists and a lot more people will suffer. Quick gain and short sighted!

Joe Scerri

Aug 20th 2008, 19:38

This country is going to the dogs by the minute.

Michael J Hare

Aug 20th 2008, 18:01

May I suggest all of us e-mail M.E.P.A with our complaints regarding the destruction of "The Blue Lagoon" We shall then see if they chose to ignore our complaints at their peril. Their website is http://www.mepa.org.mt

dbugeja

Aug 20th 2008, 15:46

Last Friday my family and I were at Ghadira Bay at 8.30am. There were very few people at that time but the owners of the deck chairs occupied almost all the bay with their deck chairs and umbrellas, leaving no space between.At that time the deck chairs were unoccupied because there werent any people yet.

those who did not want to hire a deck chair had to stay at the back of the beach. Just to say as well that as soon as you step on the sand some illegal immigrants which are hired by some deck chairs owners come upon to you asking you if you would like to hire a deck chair.

I dont think it s fair for those who doesnt want to hire any deckchairs for any reason they might have could not find a place at the front of the beach because of these owners who decided to occupy everyone. Have they bought the beach by any chance?

F Scibberras

Aug 20th 2008, 15:23

Give common land back to the people.

And this also applies to rural countyside areas (areas around Bahrija and Fomm ir rih in mind).

Most car parks are also public areas, so I do not see how local or national government allows 'squatter' attendants to get money for nothing out of this land.

Any administration in its right mind would send the parker resting home, install a 'Pay and display' machine and then the whole population will get something out of car parking.

A.Sciberras

Aug 20th 2008, 14:29

If you have the guts do the same cos in the near future there will be no sea side left. After all its apparently legal as no action is ever taken by our MPs

A Camilleri

Aug 20th 2008, 13:48

I have a new slogan for MTA that they can add to their brochures.

Welcome to Malta, the Zimbabwe of the Mediterranean.

Charles Sammut

Aug 20th 2008, 13:10

Welcome to Malta where illegality is rewarded. Be it squatting and constructing on public land, taking over the foreshore, donning a cap and asking motorists to pay for parking in a public car park, arriving in Malta illegally and w/out papers, extending your hotel w/out permit, using the public road to park your 40 foot trailers, the list goes on. In every case you will benefit from breaking the law.

Adrian Camilleri

Aug 20th 2008, 13:10

If one were to go by what has happened over the years at Armier, Ghadira and other similar places (public land being taken over by 'squatters'), then we now have an idea of how Comino will look like in the not-too-distant future! And with the Government, elected by the people, arranging to provide these 'squatters' with the services (water/electricity, etc) they require, rather than acting to get them off OUR land, then whatever can one do to get such matters seen to seriously?! Lack of 'Law enforcement' throughout is once again evident! The Prime Minister is finally responsible, and we again beg him to get things moving in the right direction.

s aquilina

Aug 20th 2008, 12:17

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariachiara/2074261108/

Plus litter everywhere (plastic bottles, burnt tyres, styrofoam boxes used for burgers and fries etc...)

B Sant

Aug 20th 2008, 12:05

Have a look at Gnejna - similar situation- it became like a slum mini city

Michael J Hare

Aug 20th 2008, 11:33

These traders dominate this very small beach on beautiful Comino. People, who visit this beach and experience this overcrowding and pollution, will not return, and their word will spread. I'm afraid money talks and the longer this problem is left unresolved, the more likely suspicion will point the finger at the people responsible for controlling this situation in government.

F Bonello

Aug 20th 2008, 11:32

My friends,

It is not a question of who you are, but whom do you know. And then they tell us that if things go wrong in any sector, it is not the Governments faults. If the government does not enforce the laws, what do you expect?.......a banana republic. I would not be surprised if the authorities wake up in late Sept and ask the person responsible to remove the umbrella etc when the season is nearly over!!!!!

Martin Galea De Giovanni

Aug 20th 2008, 10:49

Good question Mr. Agius.

This case has been reported to MEPA as early as June (with repeated reminders) but it seems like they're on holiday...

Franco Farrugia

Aug 20th 2008, 10:21

This letter is an echo of what a colleague-friend of mine complained to me about - that he took a small group with him and their day in Comino was marred by these louts thinking that they owned the small island, with their beach furniture and all. As if there was ever a concession on the island of Comino!
We need to respect Comino much more!
And we need proper legislation to control certain people: bouncers for instance as well as those requesting beach concessions - and frequent checks to ensure that the law is being observed by all!
And this is not just for the tourists - who are being completely fleeced: go and check for yourselves the prices on offer in certain areas such as Bugibba! - but also for us, the locals, the tax-payers! IT IS WE WHO SHOULD CALL THE SHOTS!

Marius Zulgis

Aug 20th 2008, 10:02

Very little is free these days here in Malta. Conversely, I noted while in Brighton a couple of weeks ago that deckchairs are supplied free of charge to the public on Brighton pier.

John Azzopardi

Aug 20th 2008, 09:55

Welcome to Malta Gozo and Comino

It's a real shame isn't it. 2008 and tourist or thought to be tourist are hounded wherever they go by pest to rent an umbrella, buy some photos, etc etc. This happens to me all the time when in Gozo because I usually have a rental and once I descend to Dwejra or Calypso cave, I am being continously hounded until I speak maltese and they leave me alone.