Mayor warns ‘party boat’ near Comino could set precedent

Għajnsielem mayor Kevin Cauchi has warned that a floating entertainment platform operating near Comino could set a precedent for similar ventures along the island’s coastline, as the local council formally objected to proposed permits linked to the Noma Island project.

Speaking to GozoToday, Cauchi said the development raises wider concerns beyond a single operation, arguing it “opens the possibility for other entrepreneurs to see the idea and set up their own party boat on the coast of Comino”.

He added that the local council has not been provided with clear information about the operation, including how long it is expected to remain in the area. “We have no information, regarding how long it will be there. All our information comes from the media,” he said.

The mayor said the council has contacted all relevant authorities that could be connected to the project but has received no response. He also noted that no reply has been from the government.

Instead, he said the council has been approached by non-governmental organisations, members of the public and other local councils raising alarm about the development and its potential impact.

In statement issued earlier this week, the Għajnsielem Local Council confirmed it has registered a formal objection to any permits that would allow Noma Island to operate within the vicinity of Comino and surrounding coastal areas.

The council said its objection is based on a number of environmental and policy concerns, foremost among them the protected status of Comino. The island is designated as a Natura 2000 site and a Special Area of Conservation, forming part of what the council described as a “highly sensitive ecological environment” of both national and European importance.

It warned that introducing further commercial activity in or around this zone risks causing irreversible damage to marine biodiversity, including habitats that support protected species and essential ecological processes.

The council also argued that the proposal runs counter to ongoing national efforts to curb over-commercialisation and reduce mass tourism pressures on Comino. Furthermore, it said that environmental organisations have repeatedly highlighted the need to limit additional activity in the area, warning that entertainment-based operations would increase human presence, noise and disturbance.

Waste generation, particularly marine litter, was identified as another key concern. The council said there is already evidence that excessive tourism and commercial activity have contributed to environmental degradation on Comino, and warned that additional operations would place further strain on the island’s fragile ecosystem.

Noise pollution was also flagged as a significant issue, with the council warning that music and large gatherings at sea in close proximity to Comino would directly conflict with efforts to preserve the island as a quiet natural zone.

In light of these concerns, the council has called on authorities to refrain from issuing any permits or licences related to the project, or to revoke any that may already exist. It urged decision makers to prioritise long term environmental protection, sustainability and the ecological integrity of Comino.

The controversy surrounding Noma Island forms part of a broader national debate on the regulation of floating entertainment platforms and their impact on coastal and marine environments.

Authorities have given mixed signals on the project. Transport Malta has said the vessel operates under a commercial licence, while the Environment and Resources Authority indicated that no permit is required unless the operation takes place within protected areas.

The project has also faced opposition from other localities. 

Mayors in areas including Mellieħa and Sliema have questioned how the operation is being allowed and whether existing permitting frameworks are adequate.

Environmental groups have likewise called for immediate intervention, warning that such developments risk undermining sustainability efforts and exacerbating pressures on already vulnerable sites.

The political party Momentum also insisted that all activities in and around Comino must strictly adhere to environmental protections and planning regulations. If no permits have been granted, immediate enforcement action must be taken. If permits do exist, they must be published without delay.