Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545651
6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 1 JULY 2026 NEWS EVA BRANNON ebrannon@mediatoday.com.mt Momentum proposes 2,000 Comino visitor cap, half reserved for Maltese citizens MOMENTUM proposed a 2,000 visitor cap for Comino, with 1,000 of those spots reserved for Maltese citizens, with the pos- sibility of the limit going even lower if overtourism problems persist. In a statement issued on Tues- day, the party referred to the "justifiable outrage" across Malta sparked by reports of a crammed Blue Lagoon. Momentum insist- ed that it has become clear to environmentalists, citizens, and even tourists that Comino can't keep up with the 4,000 visitor cap. It also noted that foreign des- tinations suffering from severe overcrowding, including Venice, Sardinia, and Barcelona, have successfully implemented strict caps alongside local priority ex- emptions. Momentum General Secretary Mark Camilleri Gam- bin explained the system could be straightforward, with locals able to login into the Blue La- goon access management system with their e-ID to unlock a resi- dent-only pool or free QR codes. "We cannot allow our natu- ral heritage to be degraded to the point where locals do not even dream of visiting Comino," Camilleri Gambin said, explain- ing that halving this cap can guarantee that Maltese citizens are not pushed aside by mass tourism. Reports of overcrowding at Comino's Blue Lagoon have sparked outrage among locals (File Photo) Scientists confirm first sighting of devil firefish in Maltese waters SCIENTISTS have confirmed the first recorded sighting of the invasive devil firefish in Maltese coastal waters, sig- nalling the continued spread of the Indo-Pacific predator across the Mediterranean. The specimen was caught by a recreational angler at Migraħ Ferħa, on Malta's north-west coast. It was photographed, measured and safely released before being examined by re- searchers, who confirmed its identity. Biologist Arnold Sciberras told MaltaToday that the find- ing indicates the species has now expanded its range into Maltese waters. The devil firefish, also known as the lionfish, is considered one of the world's most suc- cessful invasive marine species. Its arrival has raised concerns over the potential impact on native marine biodiversity and fisheries, as the predator feeds on a wide range of smaller fish and invertebrates while facing few natural predators in the Mediterranean. Researchers said the discov- ery represents an important milestone in tracking the spe- cies' westward expansion and underlines the need for contin- ued monitoring. The finding also demon- strates the value of citizen sci- ence, with the specimen first reported by a recreational an- gler. Scientists said public report- ing and continued surveillance will be crucial in determining whether the sighting was an isolated incident or the begin- ning of an established popu- lation around the Maltese Is- lands. The study was carried out by Alan Deidun, Arnold Sciberras, Bruno Zava, Maria Corsini-Fo- ka and Alessio Marrone. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Devil firefish