Oil spill in Mauritius: the ecosystem in danger

Text by: Lina Taghy | Abdoollah Earally

5 mins

The oil spill in the south-east of Mauritius threatens the ecosystem of the island. On July 26, the Japanese bulk carrier MV Wakashio ran aground in the island's territorial waters and then broke into two parts on Saturday August 15. Although the ship's tanks were emptied, part of its fuel oil spilled into the sea, not far from the Blue Bay Marine Park and its protected wetlands.

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"  All the fuel has been pumped  " from the stranded bulk carrier which still contained hydrocarbons in its tanks, Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said on Wednesday August 12th, thus ensuring that a second oil spill was avoided. Despite this, experts on the spot estimate that 1,000 tons of heavy oil have already spilled into the waters of the island, with consequences visible throughout the area. “  Nearly 10 kilometers of coastal area and around ten places have been affected,  ” notes a person in charge of the crisis committee set up in the wake of this sinking.

►Also read :  Oil spill in Mauritius: the MV Wakashio ship broke into two parts

After the disaster, the oceanographer Vassen Kauppaymuttoo mapped the pollution caused: “  Some 9500 hectares of lagoon were affected by the oil spill and 4500 hectares concern sensitive areas such as corals, seagrass beds and beaches in particular.  »He observes.

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The #MV #Wakashio bulk carrier, carrying 4,000 tons of fuel 🛢️ ran aground on the reef near a tourist hotspot in #Mauritius 🇲🇺on 25 July & started leaking #oil # Mauritius # Sentinel2 🛰️🇪🇺 #OpenData images show the development of the #oilspill pic.twitter.com/gVZA0JGfIf

On its website, GreenPeace Africa is worried to see "  thousands of species around the pristine lagoons of Blue Bay, Pointe d'Esny and Mahebourg  " drown "  in a sea of ​​pollution, with terrible consequences for the economy , food security and health in Mauritius  ”.

The rejections of the stranded boat threaten the fauna and flora of Pointe d'Esny. Together with the nearby Blue Bay Marine Park, these two sites are classified under the Ramsar Convention as “  Wetlands of International Importance  ”. In the images taken after the grounding of the ship, the black slicks cover the turquoise water and move towards the lagoons which are home to coral gardens rich in biodiversity.

The danger for the eco-system is real, warns Eco-Sud, a local NGO, which affirms that "  it will be a disaster  " and warns: "  The ecological damage is inestimable and irreversible.  "

Although they agree that the damage is significant, scientists and authorities on the island are less alarming. “  The water is crystal clear at Blue Bay Marine Park, I could see it for myself. But we must remain vigilant  ”, testifies Nadeem Nazurally, marine biologist who cultivates corals in this region since 2009.

Solidarity on site

Calls for citizen mobilization are multiplying on social networks. Eco-Sud, for example, regularly posts on Facebook asking residents to help clean up the waters and beaches, or to ask for makeshift materials that are used to build the floating socks that retain heavy oils. A call for hair donation to consolidate these sausages was also launched and relayed on social networks.

This clean-up work, to which the French navy is providing its support, must continue for the weeks to come. French President Emmanuel Macron recalled in a tweet that “  biodiversity is in danger  ” and that there is “  urgent need to act  ”. Japan also sent experts to work alongside the French and Mauritian teams.

On the surface, the situation is gradually returning to normal. “  From Monday we will start to assess the impact on the flora and fauna of the region. Then, appropriate scientific monitoring will be needed to rehabilitate the polluted areas  , ”explains Nadeem Nazurally.

He and his former colleagues at the University of Mauritius, as well as students from the institution's scientific faculties, spontaneously mobilized to support the cleanup efforts.

►Also read : Oil spill in Mauritius : Mitsui OSK Lines has already been involved in several accidents

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• Environment
• Mauritius