Tokyo-Sana
Japanese experts warned today that coral reefs in Mauritius are threatened in the long term by the oil spill caused by the sinking of the M ship in Wakashio last month.
The AFP quoted an environmental systems specialist at the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, Nuriyaki Sakaguchi, as saying that if the situation continues, this may pose a threat to the coral reefs and cause their death, noting that the only solution is to withdraw the remaining part of the shipwreck from the reef.
Agricultural experts have also warned that quantities of fuel have reached mangroves on the coast, which could destroy plants in these protected areas in the coming months.
This vessel, which is operated by the Japanese company Mitsu OSK Lines, collided on July 25 with a reef in the southeast of the island in the Indian Ocean with 3,800 tons of oil and 200 tons of diesel on board.
Between 800 and 1,000 tons of fuel leaked from the ship, which caused pollution of the coasts, especially the protected areas with coastal eucalyptus forests and endangered species.