OIL SPILL MAURITIUS

Mauritius is facing an environmental disaster : oil spill from the MV Wakashio vessel that ran aground in Pointe d'Esny on the night of the 25th of July. The bulk carrier was carrying around 200 tonnes of diesel and 3,800 tonnes of heavy oil.

The affected area is home to nature reserves and sensitive Ramsar protected ecological areas with one of the most diverse ecosystems and most pristine lagoons of the island.

The spill has now spread further along the coast line, the shores covered in thick black oil with areas around Rivière des Créoles being the hardest hit. Schools in the area are still closed due to the toxic smell.

2,784 metric tons have been removed from the ship and the remaining 166 metric tons left expected to be pumped out tomorrow 13th August. The bow resting on the coral reef, the vessel could break apart at any moment due to the swells and constant movement along the crack.

HOW TO HELP

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You have to be registered with Eco-Sud to be able to volunteer on site.

You will not be allowed on site without PPE due to health risks related to oil spill exposure. Follow the instructions given by the NGO.

You can still volunteer on other sites where teams are making Booms/ Boué Sarlon/ Boudins.

STAYING SAFE ON SITE +
PRACTICAL INFORMATION

  • TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS

  • BREATHE FRESH AIR EVERY 30 - 45 MINS

  • STAY HYDRATED

  • DO NOT EAT NEAR CONTAMINATED WATER POINTS

  • USE PPE (MASK + GLOVES + BOOTS) NEAR/ IN CONTAMINATED WATER

  • SHOWER AS SOON AS YOU GET HOME

  • IF MAKING OIL BOOMS,GO PREPARED: BRING MASKS, GLOVES / TROUSERS / SLEEVES TO MANIPULATE STRAW

USEFUL LINKS

ABOUT THE AREA

POINTE D'ESNY WETLAND - 22 hectares Ramsar protected site

Subtropical mangrove forest and one of the rare and largest remaining wetlands of Mauritius, providing local flood abatement functions and habitat to some endangered plants and native species.

BLUE BAY MARINE PARK - 353 hectares Ramsar protected site.
The unique underwater seascape is home to around 38 coral species, some 72 fish and the endangered green turtle. It also features a 1,000-year-old brain coral measuring more than 5-metres in diameter.

ILE AUX AIGRETTES - 27 hectares Nature Reserve.
The island is made of coralline limestone unlike the mainland of volcanic origin. It is home to endemic species and is the last remnants of the dry coastal forest once found on the mainland.

MAHEBOURG

Fisherman village known for having preserved its charm, history and authenticity with markets and events such as Regatta festivals. It is a unique ecosystem on its own being surrounded by sea, beaches, islets, river, mountains and wetlands. With the Lion Mountain in the backdrop, it has witnessed historical events such as The Battle of Grand-Port in 1810.

We are trying as much as we can to update daily.
last updated 13 Aug 2020 01:50

image credits: Eric Villars

HELP ON SITE

Volunteers are advised NOT to participate in the cleanup and collection of oil (liquid and solid) found on the beach - this is acting as a protective layer against further oil penetrating the ground.

NOT remove / replace / collect the handmade oil booms on site.

As the activities are now being coordinated and taken over by experts, volunteers won't be needed for cleanups on affected coastal sites.

LATEST UPDATES

ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW

MAP

Download the Discover Mauritius App to update and access the map,
to find out where to help and what is needed.

GROUPS TO JOIN

MAKING OF BOOMS : ENDED

WE ARE MOVING TO THE NEXT STEP

  • MAHEBOURG WATERFRONT WORKSHOP TRANSITION FOR PHASE 2

  • contact Tony Apollon 5250 2465

ON SITE HELP - NO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CLEANUP

As the activities are now being coordinated and taken over by experts, volunteers won't be needed for cleanups on affected coastal sites.

Reminder: NOT to participate in cleanup / collection of oil (liquid and solid) found on the beach, NOT remove / replace / collect handmade oil booms on site.

PPE is compulsory on site.

  • Mahebourg Waterfront

  • Petit Bel Air

  • Rivière des Créoles

  • Falaise Rouge

  • Ferney

  • Vieux Grand Port

  • Bois des Amourettes

  • Bambous Virieux

  • Grand Port - La Plage Corail

  • Grand Sable

  • Deux Frères

  • Quatre Soeurs

EQUIPMENT DONATION

WHAT IS NEEDED ON SITE

OIL BOOMSPPECLEANING UP
hair/ cheveuxmasks chemical respiratorsbuckets
pantyhose/ tights/ basrubber glovescontainers
gloves (bricklayer)/ gants noir/ saki mason servibootsbarrels
difil nylon 1.1mm suits/ overall 
corde marine/ rope 0.5 in (12.5mm)goggles 
big needles/ gros zegwi/ grosses aiguilles  
5l - 20l empty bottles/ bouteilles vides  
sizo/ cutter/ ciseaux/ scissors/ knives/ blades  

SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS - FOOD DONATION

CONTACT POINTS

COLLECTION POINTS FOR DONATIONS

  • BEAU PLAN CREATIVE PARK - 2458041

  • HAIR DONATION - MAURITIUS - FRANCOISE GACHET 57497327

FOUND AN ANIMAL AFFECTED BY OIL?
WHAT TO DO

A press communique was issued by the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security on Saturday 8th August requesting the public NOT TO CLEAN the animal but notify NPCS who will come and collect the animal.
NPCS vans are often at Pointe Jérôme, opposite Ile aux Aigrettes.

  • 5689 2013 - NPCS (24h service) seabirds

  • 5251 1984 - NPCS (24h service) seabirds

  • 5473 0103 - MWF seabirds, turtles

  • 5948 9823 - MWF seabirds, turtles

  • 5258 8139 - MWF seabirds, turtles

  • 5915 1351 - Fisheries Service turtles

  • 238 4925 - Fisheries Service turtles

  • 637 3025 - PAWS dogs, cats, other animals

  • 5904 6336 - PAWS dogs, cats, other animals

  • 57276076 - Casela Nature & Leisure Park

HELP FROM ABROAD

Mauritians abroad, join the group within your country.
The groups have been created to redirect the inflow of energy from abroad.

Lets join forces to support and relate information from Eco-Sud and other trusted organisations to Mauritians abroad.

ARTISTS + DESIGNERS
FOR OUR LAGOON

Buy from our talented Mauritian designers and artists based in Mauritius and all over the world to support donations.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

DOMESTIC