Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1538377
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 AUGUST 2025 NEWS / OPINION MOVIMENT Graffitti is calling for a ban on large tourist boats visiting Comino after publish- ing a video showing thousands of tourists being offloaded at the Blue Lagoon every day. Earlier in the summer, the gov- ernment announced a booking system that will limit the num- ber of tourists visiting Blue La- goon at any given moment. However, a video published by Moviment Graffitti shows thousands of tourists are still be- ing brought to the Blue Lagoon every day, leaving a massive en- vironmental impact on the is- land. "Large commercial boat opera- tors are the main cause of chaos at Comino's Blue Lagoon," the group said. "The arrival of these boats re- lentlessly transforms this iconic nature reserve from a peace- ful, idyllic location in the early morning, to a crowded, noisy, dirty tourist trap by mid-after- noon." Graffitti said Blue Lagoon used to be a summer staple for many local families but is no longer considered as such by Maltese and Gozitans. "We have been pushed out of public land by a handful of pow- erful businesses who are allowed to exploit the island at the cost of public enjoyment and the en- vironment." The group criticised Tourism Minister Ian Borg for bending over backwards to allow this profiteering at the Blue Lagoon, while the government refuses to publish a carrying capacity study on Comino. "Vessels that funnel mass tour- ism do not belong in a nature re- serve," the group said. Comino: Moviment Graffitti wants ban on large tourist boats Woman pleads guilty to theft from pharmacy in Qormi NICOLE MEILAK nmeilak@mediatoday.com.mt Large tourist boats should be banned from visiting Comino, the group says (Graffitti) JOSLOANN Cassar from Bormla was arraigned in court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to simple theft from a pharmacy in Qormi. The amount did not exceed the value of €232.92. The 31-year-old was also charged with being a recidivist, as she had previous convictions. The theft occurred on 6 April. Whilst committing the theft, the owner caught her in the act. He immediately recovered the stolen items from her handbag and took note of her identity. She willingly gave her phone number to the owner, who in- formed the police of the inci- dent but she had already left the scene. Inspector James Mallia ex- plained that she didn't go to the police station immediately. He went to her residence to look for her but she was not there. Mallia later saw her approach- ing the residence and arrested her. She plead guilty and confirmed her admission. A pre-sentencing report was requested by the defence and a probation officer was appoint- ed. Bail was requested but the prosecution heavily objected. The defence referenced the fact that she is a mother of five children and mentioned the possibility of supervised bail. The defence also request- ed that if bail is granted, "her means are reflected in the bail conditions". The bail request was upheld against a €500 deposit and a €2,000 personal guarantee. She was granted bail in light of her early admission and since the value of the stolen items only amounted to approximate- ly €70. She was warned of the conditions imposed upon her, including signing the bail book twice weekly and a curfew be- tween 8pm and 7am was im- posed. "If you ignore the orders of the probation officer, you will be back here", the Magistrate told her. The sitting was presided over by Magistrate Jean Paul Grech. Inspector James Mallia prose- cuted. Defence lawyers Franco Debono, Adreana Zammit, Marion Camilleri, Anthea Bon- nici Zammit appeared for Cas- sar. MAYA GALEA mgalea@mediatoday.com.mt