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NGOs call on public to object to artificial lighting in Dwejra
The NGOs explained that allowing artificial light in Dwejra would disorient seabirds and undermine the very qualities that justified Dwejra’s protection in the first place
4 February 2026, 1:26pm
Matthew Farrugia
Matthew Farrugia
1 min read
Photo of light pollution from boathouses at the Inland Sea in Dwejra provided by the NGOs
NGOs are urging the public to object to a policy that would allow artificial lights to disrupt the ecosystem in Dwejra.
In a statement, Moviment Graffitti explained that the site has been protected by a 2019 Court of Appeal ruling which confirmed that development and its impacts in Dwejra were in violation of the site’s Natura 2000 and Dark Sky Heritage Area status.
“That judgment upheld the need for strict protection, recognising the site’s ecological, scientific and conservation value, including the importance of maintaining natural darkness,” Graffiti said.
Now, government is proposing legislation that would permit artificial lighting in Dwejra, which goes against the Gozo and Comino Local plan.
This, the NGO stated, is part of government’s pattern of introducing new laws to legalise breaches instead of correcting the breaches.
Graffiti explained that allowing artificial light in Dwejra would disorient seabirds and undermine the very qualities that justified Dwejra’s protection in the first place.
“Moviment Graffitti, together with other environmental, heritage and scientific organisations, is calling for the law to reflect what was already confirmed by planning policy and the courts: Dwejra must remain dark from sunset to sunrise, with no exceptions.”
The public has been urged to submit its objections to [email protected] by 3 March 2026 and keep [email protected] in copy.
“Lights at Dwejra must remain switched off between sunset and sunrise, and not allowed to remain switched on until midnight,” the NGOs said.
Matthew Farrugia is a journalist at MaltaToday
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