Entrepreneurs filling public beaches with private deckchairs and umbrellas for hire have been warned to stop their profiteering or face direct citizen action. 

Activists from Kamp Emerġenza Ambjent have said that unless the situation is rectified, they will organise and mobilise to reclaim public beaches. 

In a statement, the civil society group said that commercial entities were turning many public beaches "into private spaces for profit-making," and noted that "people are often unable to place their own towels and umbrellas and there is not enough space for children to play."

Activists called on operators to stop their "takeover of public beaches" and urged authorities to step in to ensure the public's rights were safeguarded. 

Kamp Emerġenza Ambjent rose to prominence last year, when its activists pulled down fencing blocking public access to large swathes of Manoel Island and its shore, in defiance of private consortium MIDI. 

Just last week, the Times of Malta reported that deckchair operators at Comino's Blue Lagoon were laying out deckchairs and umbrellas in their allocated area first thing in the morning.