{11.08.20}The island nation of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean is grappling with a oil spill from a Japanese tanker grounded on a coral reef off the southeastern coast. The tanker, MV Wakashio, struck the reef on July 25th. It lay stranded for 10 days before it began leaking fuel oil. Fortunately the tanker was not carrying cargo at the time of it grounded, but it did have 3,894 tons of fuel oil on board. The spill threatens several natural areas along the coast including the largest remaining wetland in Mauritius, Pointe d'Esny, Aigrettes Nature Reserve, and Blue Bay Marine Area. Clusters of mangrove are found along the eastern coast and are areas of high biodiversity, often serving a spawning grounds for numerous species of fish.
Booms have been deployed around the stricken ship, but have proven largely ineffective in containing the 900 ton spill headed up the coast, driven by winds and currents. About 500 tons of fuel have been pumped out of the ship, and the breach appears to have been plugged. There is concern that the tanker could break up before 2500 metric tons of fuel are removed from the tanks. Mauritius officials admitted they are unprepared for a spill disaster; the Wakashio is the third ship to run aground in five years. The nation's prime minister called for international assistance the day after the spill began. The islands are known as a tropical paradise of azure waters and enticing beaches. It is also a port of call for ships traversing the Indian Ocean. For years environmental activists have been warning about the proximity of international ocean traffic near to fragile marine ecosystems. Akihiko Ono, executive vice president of Mitsui OSK Lines, the ship owner, said his company was deeply sorry for "the great trouble we have caused." No estimate of the damage to the coastline, death toll to marine life, or cost of the cleanup have been made public.