Experts warn remaining oil from sunken tanker may damage Mauritius coast
Japan's disaster relief team helping the cleanup of a massive oil spill off the coast of Mauritius said on Tuesday oil contamination and the body of the stranded vessel could further deteriorate the sea environment.
The team confirmed at an online media briefing that though they have not seen any dead mangroves or coral reefs so far, dangers still remain.
Japan Disaster Relief Team Deputy Leader, Noriaki Sakaguchi said oil residue may suffocate mangrove roots and the stranded MV Wakashio, owned by Nagashiki Shipping and chartered by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, could cause coral to die as it moves around and hits the coral reef. The wildlife at risk includes the sea grasses blanketing sand in the shallow waters, clownfish living in coral reefs, mangroves systems, and the critically endangered Pink Pigeon, endemic to the island.
The Japanese team is scheduled to finish their research and activities on Friday, but they will consider offering long-term support to the local government.
Meanwhile in Tokyo, about half a dozen members of the environmental activist group Greenpeace Japan stood in front of the Mitsui O.S.K office wearing black face masks and gloves in a silent protest, urging the company to take responsibility for the accident and do whatever possible to restore the environment.
The ship struck a coral reef on Mauritius's southeast coast on July 25 and later began leaking oil. Two of the ship's officers have since been arrested on charges of endangering safe navigation.
(Source: Reuters)
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