---
title: "NGOs Warn Bengħajsa Land Reclamation Masterplan Will Devastate Fishing Sector"
date: 2026-11-01T05:01:06.559+00:00
updated: 2026-11-01T05:01:06.559+00:00
topics: ["Planning", "Environment", "National"]
canonical: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-11-01/ngos-warn-benghajsa-land-reclamation-masterplan-threatens-fishing-sector
source: Fil-Qosor
---

# NGOs Warn Bengħajsa Land Reclamation Masterplan Will Devastate Fishing Sector

## In brief

- Non-governmental organisations have warned that industrial land reclamation at Bengħajsa Point poses a critical threat to local fishers.
- The government recently issued a tender to develop a masterplan for reclaiming 100,000 square metres of seabed.
- Groups cautioned that the proposed coastal expansion would deal a devastating blow to traditional fishing livelihoods.

Non-governmental organisations have sounded the alarm over government plans for an industrial land reclamation project at Bengħajsa Point, cautioning that the initiative could permanently disrupt the surrounding maritime community.

The warnings follow the publication of a government tender seeking the formulation of a comprehensive masterplan. The proposal aims to reclaim approximately 100,000 square metres of seabed off the southern coast for industrial use.

Civil society groups and environmental organisations argued that executing such large-scale works in the area would deal a crushing blow to local fishers who depend on these coastal waters for their livelihood.

The organisations stressed that extensive offshore construction risks causing irreversible damage to marine habitats, while also restricting navigation and access to key fishing grounds.

According to the objecting groups, proceeding with the industrial expansion without addressing environmental fallout directly jeopardises the economic survival of families working in the traditional fishing sector.

Critics have urged the authorities to halt work on the proposed masterplan and initiate comprehensive consultations with affected stakeholders before committing to coastal reclamation.

## The Spin Room

**Low media divide.** Both outlets reported the organisations' warnings against the Bengħajsa land reclamation project with matching factual emphasis.

## Sources (2)

- [MaltaToday](https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/145415/organisations_warn_bengajsa_land_reclamation_could_deal_death_blow_to_fishermen)
- [Times of Malta](https://timesofmalta.com/article/land-reclamation-benghajsa-point-death-blow-fishers-ngos-warn.1136446)

## More stories

- [Tribunal Suspends Comino Six Senses Environmental Permit Pending Appeal](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-09-30/tribunal-suspends-comino-six-senses-environmental-permit-pending-appeal) (2026-09-30)
- [Activists Protest Outside Planning Authority Demanding Resignation of CEO](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-09-26/activists-protest-outside-planning-authority-demanding-resignation-of-ceo) (2026-09-26)
- [Din l-Art Ħelwa Appeals Planning Approval for Excelsior Hotel Extension](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-09-08/din-l-art-helwa-appeals-planning-approval-for-excelsior-hotel-extension) (2026-09-08)

---

Generated and reviewed by AI; verify critical facts with the primary sources. When citing, link readers to the canonical article: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-11-01/ngos-warn-benghajsa-land-reclamation-masterplan-threatens-fishing-sector