The NGO Moviment Graffitti has decried an attempt at striking a “balance” in Comino as a lie, as it published a video on Monday which they shows that there is no such balance on the idyllic island, despite political promises.

The NGO had carried out direct action on the island, removing deckchairs from the area around Blue Lagoon – direct action which ultimately led to permits for deckchairs on the sand being rescinded and the number of deckchairs which could be placed being reduced.

Prime Minister Robert Abela said that in this manner, a balance had been reached.

“We decided to go back to Comino to see what this balance looks like in practice,” the NGO said in a statement on Monday.

The NGO found that while it’s true that there are no longer deckchairs on the beach, vendors are still putting deckchairs out before tourists arrive, both on the jetty, and the other sandy area.

“Something else that is present even from early in the morning is the remains of pineapple cocktails from previous days. These can be found all over the island, together with plastic cups and other rubbish,” the NGO said.

“After a couple of hours of relative tranquillity, the large boats begin arriving and depositing hundreds of tourists onto the island. Moviment Graffitti is calling for these big boats to be banned from Comino,” it continued.

While Blue Lagoon has been our main focus so far, it is by no means the only problem area of Comino, the NGO said.

“A walk along the coast reveals just how strained this little island is now, let alone if government goes ahead with plans to attract even more visitors,” it continued.

Moviment Graffitti noted how further inland, access to San Niklaw Bay has been completely blocked off by Hili Group.

“Returning to Blue Lagoon in the afternoon, the need to urgently address the issue of capacity on Comino is even more obvious. Now it’s hard to even move, let alone find a place to put your towel. The many kiosks are now also in full swing, with loud music blaring from each one of them.”

“If this is Robert Abela’s ideal of balance, then this paradise between Malta and Gozo will be destroyed in a few years. Instead of empty words, action needs to be taken now.”