Ecological future of Mauritius in jeopardy amid oil spill disaster

Written by Hazel for Surf Actionism

Fears are growing over what’s been dubbed an ‘environmental crisis’ off the coast of Mauritius, as more than a thousand tonnes of oil leak into the ocean.

It’s after Japanese-owned bulk carrier MV Wakashio ran aground on the coral reef near the Indian Ocean island last month, before starting to break apart in rough seas.

At the time, ministers warned of a ‘crisis situation’ - one that fishing minister Sudheer Maudhoo told The Guardian was a problem that the island was “insufficiently equipped to handle”.

And, while the spill has been described as relatively smaller than other similar disasters, the main issue is about where it’s happened – essentially, a biodiversity hotspot.

Well-known for its high concentration of unique plants and animals on the island, Mauritius has an even more diverse marine environment, with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity citing 1,700 different species, thanks to its awe-inspiring coral reefs, seagrasses and mangroves.

And it just so happened that the spill happened near two if its environmentally protected marine ecosystems – as well as the Blue Bay Marine Park reserve, a wetland of international importance. 

Now, ecologists warn the current impact on the environment is just the beginning and effects could be felt for decades to come, with Greenpeace stating it’s likely one of the most terrible ecological crises ever seen on the small island country.

In a statement, Happy Khambule, Greenpeace Africa Senior Climate and Energy Campaign Manager, said: “Thousands of species around the pristine lagoons of Blue Bay, Pointe d’Esny and Mahebourg are at risk of drowning in a sea of pollution, with dire consequences for Mauritius’ economy, food security and health."

As the crisis continues to grow, local media are now claiming there are new plans to tow part of the ship eight miles to the east of the island to be sunk – right in the middle of a well-known whale nursing ground.

The plans have caused outrage on social media, as campaigners call for safer plans to be put in place.

But, as ship captain Sunil Kumar Nandeshwar is arrested and charged with endangering safe navigation, and questions are raised over the global shipping industry’s attitude to sustainability, the ecological future of the tropical island is looking more uncertain than ever before.