(TAN): The United Nations has observed “significant improvement in the state of the coastline (of Mauritius) affected by the fuel spilled from the MV Wakashio”, Mauritus Tourism said.
The ship, Japanese vessel MV Wakashio, ran aground on July 25 and leaked more than a thousand tonnes of oil into the coastal waters. The Mauritius government on August 7 declared a state of environmental emergency.
Recently, Mauritius’ Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, as well as government experts and environmental advisers surveyed the sites impacted by the oil spill from MV Wakashio that ran aground off the south eastern coast of Mauritius on July 25.
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They reviewed progress made in the clean-up operations and rehabilitation of the environment.
“As far as the first stage of clean-up goes, we noted significant improvement in the state of the coastline affected by the fuel spilled from the MV Wakashio.We would like to recognize the efforts of the many volunteers from the local community who continue to provide support to the environmental rescue operations,” UN expert Matthew Sommerville said.
The team of experts said they will continuously monitor the cleaning and support Mauritian authorities in this important task to restore the area to its original state.
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Operations have been contracted out to the specialised firm, Polyeco and Floch Depollution, with support of around 60 local fishermen recruited for the task.
Cleaning operations at Ile aux Fouquets, an islet off the south eastern coast of Mauritius, as well as at Pointe d’Esny public beach has been completed. As of September 5, cleaning was in progress at Bambous Virieux, Bois des Amourettes, Vieux Grand Port and la Falaise Rouge.
More than 310 kilometres, representing 96% of Mauritian coastline, has not been affected by the oil spill.
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