MV Wakashio, a Japanese bulk carrier operated by Mitsui OSK Lines (Kabushiki-gaishaShōsen Mitsui, MOL), got stranded on the coast of Mauritius on July 25. The vessel leaked hundreds of tons of fuel oil off the coral reef and contaminated the nearby ocean. The island nation of Mauritius declared ‘a state of environmental emergency’ on August 7.
The vessel stranded on a reef off Mauritius while driving close to the island, ignoring warnings from the coast guard while departing from China and sailing to Brazil via Singapore. Later, the ship stated, ‘It was for Wi-Fi connection.’ Soon, it was revealed that they were careless in driving because they were celebrating the attendant’s birthday, which caused public resentment.
With a high concentration of plants and animals unique to the region, Mauritius is a paradise with biodiversity. According to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the Mauritian marine environment is home to 1,700 species, including about 800 types of fish, 17 kinds of marine mammals, and two kinds of turtles. Although there are very few marine areas with such rich biodiversity left on the planet, the spill caused a significant amount of damage to the ecosystem.
The coral reefs in the lagoon are the biggest concern. Coral reefs are called the rainforests of the ocean due to the diversity of life found in them. However, due to the coral-bleaching caused by the oil spill, it is expected that there will be massive destruction to the coastal ecosystem. Dolphins and seabirds died en mass due to the accident. As the coral reefs and marine ecosystems are the major tourist attractions of Mauritian tourism, it is anticipated that there will be a substantial negative impact on the Mauritius economy.
