The Malta Tourism Authority has expanded the designated swimming zone of the Blue Lagoon, extending the main central area while adding two nearby inlets, now exclusively reserved for swimmers.

It is, of course, a welcome move. The original swimming zone has been increased by 12%, it said, adding that two smaller beaches located to the left of the jetty have been newly designated as safe swimming zones. Previously, these inlets could be accessed by smaller boats and other watercraft, including jet skis, it said, adding that they are now cordoned off, offering a safer setting for swimmers.

The MTA also said that Team Blue Lagoon has doubled cleaning and waste management resources to ensure constant upkeep, with more frequent cleaning routines across the whole area and that environmental authorities and enforcement agencies are increasing patrols to help prevent littering and other violations.

All the above is welcome news. Keeping the island clean of litter must be a priority, especially given the photos of pineapples which once contained drinks littering around the area are still fresh in one's mind, and ensuring safety is a must.

But questions still linger over just how effective the overall plan for protecting the Blue Lagoon will be.

The government had said that in summer 2024, up to 12,000 visitors were recorded at the Blue Lagoon at any one time, especially at peak hours, and a new booking system allowing a maximum of 4,000 visitors at Blue Lagoon at any one time was recently introduced. But this newsroom has already pointed out that the capping in theory still allows a maximum of 12,000 people per day to be at Blue Lagoon.

This number still sounds like too much. As this newsroom has pointed out in the past, a study which had identified what Comino's carrying capacity should be has not been published. It has been kept under wraps by the Environment and Resources Authority.

Until it is published, the amount set for the capping will be viewed with raised eyebrows, as it is virtually impossible to tell just exactly what the maximum amount of people on the island should be. The hiding of this document also goes against the principle of transparency.

We must keep in mind that Comino is a Natura 2000 site, and deserves top notch environmental protection, and the priority must be to preserve the island for future generations.

Blue Lagoon is one of the most beautiful sites in Malta, and providing a setting for visitors which is idyllic should be a goal, but overcrowding issues has complaints. Will this impact be dealt with by only allowing 4,000 people at any one time?

In addition to this, one cannot forget the planning application regarding the hotel and villas on Comino that had been approved. There is a possible appeal that will be filed, but this project together with the number of tourists heading to Blue Lagoon brings a question to mind. What kind of impact will the footfall from this project, combined with the number of daily visitors to Comino as it stands today, have on the island?

Another point that could be raised is the amount of boats that are allowed in the lagoon at any one time. While possibly not affecting numbers on the beach itself, is it having an impact on the sea flora and fauna, and if yes, should this also be capped?