Comino’s Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular beaches among tourists, visited by thousands every year.

The small beach is usually taken up by sunbeds, deckchairs and umbrellas, set up by operators, who leave no space for those who do not wish to hire any beach equipment.

A call for tenders was issued last year for a period of three years by the Malta Tourism Authority to regulate the activity.

It was for a concession to hire out umbrellas and deckchairs at Blue Lagoon in summer. It also specified that the concession to operate “will be granted by way of an encroachment permit issued by the Commissioner of Land”.

The entitlement is for no more than 80 deckchairs and umbrellas. Operators must open the deckchairs when clients ask and not prepare them in early mornings. This is not the case.

When the MTA and planning authority enforcement officers visit the lagoon, the operators hide all the deckchairs and umbrellas. They know when they are coming and when the inspectors are done, the concession operators take them back to Malta in their boat.

Why is this happening to our islands? Why is no one taking responsibility?

I hope the authorities take action.