Oil Spill in Mauritius: A Long, Bitter Trial for Environmental and Social Justice
We are now 3 months post the MV Wakashio oil spill which was on international headlines for weeks; the consequences linger and improvements within the shipping industry are still relevant.
The Japanese, Panamanian-registered bulk carrier vessel, MV Wakashio, ran aground on a coral reef near Pointe d’Esny in south-east Mauritius on July 25th 2020. On Thursday 6 August, looking at images of dark fuel streaks in the pristine blue lagoons, many Mauritians learned about the unprecedented oil spill after 13 days of governmental inaction. The vessel was on its way to Brazil, from China; carrying around 4200 metric tons (MT) of fuel of which 3894 MT was low sulfur fuel oil. [1] Thereafter, the country witnessed an unprecedented wave of solidarity geared towards the making of artisanal booms from sugarcane bagasse to prevent further contamination of the coast. [2] Official clean-up efforts then started. However, weather conditions worsened at sea and on August 15, the vessel split into two and afterward the bow section was scuttled in the open sea at a depth of 2000m. While the precise location remains unclear, the region is a known nursing ground for many species of Cetaceans. The scuttling, which was a concerted effort under Marpol regulations between different parties including the Mauritian government, French experts, the International Maritime Organisation, the ship operating company Mitsui O.S.K. lines, the ship owning company Nagashiki Shipping, Japanese experts, the flag state Panama, Malta and the salvaging companies, is being considered as an international crime. [3] A few days later, dead marine mammals washed up on the southeastern coast of Mauritius. This caused an outrage among Mauritians, around 100 000 of whom marched down the streets of the capital, on August 29, to protest against the mishandling of the Wakashio crisis by the government, among other claims. Up till then there had been no human tragedy, but on August 31 when the stern of the vessel was being towed to the port for dismantling; the tugboat, Sir Gaëtan Duval, undertaking this mission sank at Poudre d’Or, resulting in the death of three crew members while one remains missing.[4]
When it comes to the environmental impact, the oil spill occurred frighteningly close to several protected areas such as the Pointe D’Esny wetlands and the Blue Bay Marine Park, both Ramsar sites with diverse and unique flora and fauna.[5] Ile aux Aigrettes, another protected nature reserve, also found itself surrounded by swathes of black oil. For years, this atoll had been a safe sanctuary for several indigenous and threatened species in Mauritius. The Mauritius Wildlife Foundation (MWF) had to promptly evacuate various species from the atoll to prevent further exposure from oil.[6] Despite their best efforts, some damage is already noticeable. In a recent interview with Forbes, the Conservation Director of the MWF stated that a recently discovered cricket species, nicknamed the ‘Ile aux Aigrettes Cave Cricket’ which was widely seen in the cave of Ile aux Aigrettes, has since disappeared.[7]
Moreover, the death of over 50 dolphins and other Cetaceans have become a powerful national image to depict this tragedy. As of the end of October, the Mauritian Forensic Science Laboratory discovered traces of oil in one of the bodies, but no complete official report has been published yet.[8] Multiple studies have outlined the risks that oil spills represent for marine life; animals can be impacted directly through inhalation, absorption, and ingestion of oil particles or indirectly through the destruction of their natural habitat or the inaccessibility of food sources.[9] This includes impacted mangroves and reefs in the region which once served as safe nursery habitats. As a result, marine creatures at various levels of the food chain may face a host of issues including starvation, weakened immunity, vulnerability to diseases, reduced reproductive success and even untimely death.[10]
To further complicate matters, this new type of low-sulphur fuel has been adopted for its reduced impact on air pollution but there has been no study to analyze its long-term implications on marine life. A spokesperson for the International Maritime Organisation stated that “because this fuel is so new, research has only just been initiated on its fate and behaviour in the environment, particularly over a longer period.”[11] However, this begs the question about how international regulators have allowed the use of such a fuel when they are not even aware of its implications for the environment? However, Mauritian authorities need to exercise caution and not dismiss the lack of available data as indemnity.
If the lagoon is an essential part of our ecosystem; so is it for our economy as it provides livelihoods to thousands of people. The COVID-19 outbreak hindered the coastal economy’s usual functioning but this additional crisis has totally handicapped the south-east coast for years to come. This is a major setback for villages that depend on tourism and the lagoon. On the Mahebourg esplanade, while crafting booms; a lady who lives in Cité La Chaux expressed her concerns for the future of her family. Looking at the horizon in dismay, where the vessel was stuck, she related how her husband who is a skipper is the only breadwinner. With the strain already placed on the tourism industry, she explained that with her two children going to school, it is now unimaginable to make ends meet; likewise for others.
Additionally, tests conducted on fish revealed that they are unfit for consumption, confirming the local fisherfolk’s apprehensions. Subsequently, the ministry of fisheries announced that fisherfolk, fishmongers and pleasure craft operators will receive a monthly allowance of Rs 10 200 ($ 255), along with other additional allowances.[12] However, a majority of unregistered fisherfolk had not received the monthly allowance by end-September.[13] Many have worked at sea their whole lives and have often been without assistance. In order to sustain their livelihoods, propositions can include diversification of skills into alternative sustainable areas such as permaculture, respecting natural ecosystems and integrating livestock. This is already in place in Rodrigues, a neighbouring island, where fisherfolk are also planters and farmers.[14] To kick-start the project, the state and private actors can provide land and collectively design an economically sustainable model.
However, what happened in Mauritius is far from an exception. There have been similar incidents around the world, menacing communities and ecosystems altogether. In early August, the Venezuelan Morrocoy National Park, home to incredible corals, mangroves and diverse marine life, was affected by an oil spill.[15] Currently, there is also the risk of an unprecedentedly massive oil spill in the Gulf of Paria off the coast of Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago.[16] Russia has reported three oil spills in the month of October itself.[17] What is clear is that the incidence of oil spills is just a matter of when and where and unfortunately those who bear the greatest burden aren’t those responsible in the first place.
The various areas that require reform are far too lengthy to be addressed in this piece. However, international organizations, national governments and advocacy groups need to work on the momentum that these oil spills have provided to increase regulations. It is critical for the shipping industry to shift away from the use of dirty fossil fuels. Moreover, international regulators like the IMO should extend the Polar Code to other areas with equally important ecosystems to ensure the protection of biodiversity and vulnerable coastal communities.[18]
Sources
1. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, “Mauritius oil spill puts spotlight on ship pollution”, (UNCTAD, 19 August, 2020)
https://unctad.org/news/mauritius-oil-spill-puts-spotlight-on-ship-pollution
2. South China Morning Post, “Mauritius oil spill: human hair, leaves used to make booms to stem slick from Japanese ship”, (SCMP, August 11, 2020)
3. Nishan Degnarain, “Was The Deliberate Sinking Of The Mauritius Oil Spill Vessel, Wakashio, An International Crime?”, Forbes (Forbes, August 29, 2020)
4. The Maritime Executive, “Tug Involved in Mauritius Cleanup Sinks Killing Three” (The Maritime Executive, October 1, 2020) https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/tug-involved-in-mauritius-cleanup-sinks-killing-three
5. International Maritime Organisation, “IMO continues to support international efforts to respond to the oil spill in Mauritius, following the break up of the MV Wakashio”, (IMO, August 17, 2020)
6. Mauritius Wildlife Foundation, “Oil Spill From Wakashio”, (MWF, August 7, 2020)
https://www.mauritian-wildlife.org/news/2020-08-07/oil-spill-from-wakashio
7. Nishan Degnarain, “The Battle to Save the World’s Rarest Species from Extinction Following Mauritius Oil Spill”, Forbes (Forbes, October 2, 2020) https://www.forbes.com/sites/nishandegnarain/2020/10/02/the-battle-to-save-worlds-rarest-species-from-mauritius-oil-spill/
8. E.Moris, “Baleines et dauphins échoués à l'île maurice: deux mois plus tard, les résultats des nécropsies ne sont toujours pas accessibles”, Zinfos Moris (Zinfos Moris, October 28, 2020)
9. Holly K. Ober, “Effects of Oil Spills on Marine Life and Coastal Wildlife”, EDIS, (EDIS, May 31, 2010)
https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/118536
10. Christina Jönander & Ingela Dahllöff, “Short and Long-term Effects of Low-Sulphur Fuels on Marine Zooplankton Coomunities”, Aquatic Toxicology, (Aquatic Toxicology, August 2020).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105592
11. Nishan Degnarain, “Global Shipping Regulator Admits It Does Not Know Effect Of Wakashio Fuel in Mauritian Waters” , Forbes (Forbes, August 19, 2020)
12. Prime Minister’s Office, “Cabinet Decisions – 28 August 2020, PMO Mauritius (Prime Minister’s Office, August 28, 2020),
https://pmo.govmu.org/CabinetDecision/2020/Cabinet_Decisions_taken_on_28_August_2020.pdf
13. Lalit, “Wakashio oil spill: fishers of Vieux Grand Port continue mobilising”, (Lalit, September 23, 2020)
14. Le Mauricien, “Sur la côte du Sud-Est : Difficile à joindre les deux bouts… sans les vagues !”, (Le Mauricien, September 27, 2020)
15. Nishan Degnarain, “Oil Spill August: What Two Major Oil Spills in Venezuela and Mauritius Now Mean For the World”, Forbes, (Forbes, August 28, 2020)
16. Sarah Gibbens, “This stranded Venezuelan oil tanker is a potential disaster. Here’s what we know”, National Geographic, (National Geographic, October 28, 2020)
17. Rebecca Field, “Oil is leaking all over the world”, (Greenpeace, September 8, 2020)
https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/44923/oil-is-leaking-all-over-the-world/
18. International Maritime Organisation, “Milestone for polar protection as comprehensive new ship regulations come into force,” (IMO, January 1,2017)
https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/02-Polar-Code.aspx