Oil Spill T-Shirt

Oil Spill T-Shirt

A Japanese bulk oil carrier struck a coral reef off Mauritius on 25 July 2020. The ship began to leak fuel oil in the following weeks and broke apart in mid-August. Much of the oil on board Wakashio was pumped out before it broke in half but still, an estimated 1,000 tonnes of oil spilt into the ocean.

The island’s environment minister told the press that it was the first time that the country faced a catastrophe of this magnitude and that they were insufficiently equipped to handle the problem.

Why is this different?

Unlike most offshore spills, this has occurred near two environmentally protected marine ecosystems. The Blue Bay Marine Park reserve is a wetland of international importance.

So, it’s the location rather than the size of the spill which is causing the greatest concern about its potentially serious environmental impact.

The once-stunning turquoise waters of the blue lagoon outside the coastal village of Mahébourg in Mauritius have now been marred by dark black and brown stains.

Tourism is a cornerstone of Mauritius’ economy, with a focus on its pristine marine landscapes.

The oil spill is likely to endanger animals.

Mauritius declared an environmental emergency. Salvage crews and volunteers raced against the clock to pump the remaining 3,000 tonnes of oil off the ship. Environmental groups warned the damage to coral reefs and once-pristine coastal areas could be irreversible.

The Mauritius government is seeking compensation from the company. Nagasaki has pledged to “sincerely” respond to requests for compensation for damage to the marine environment.

 

Below are some links related to the Oil Spill T-Shirt news:

• CNN – A cargo ship leaking tons of oil off the Mauritius coast has split in two
• Voanews – Mauritius Copes With Split Japanese Ship That Spilled Oil
• Voanews – Japan-Owned Oil Tanker Breaks Apart off Mauritius Coast
• Aljazeera – Ship leaking tonnes of oil off Mauritius splits apart
• Wiki – MV Wakashio oil spill
• BBC – Why the Mauritius oil spill is so serious