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Oil Tanker Spill In Tokyo Bay Threatens Endangered Birds

fishing boat July 2nd, 1997

GLAND, Switzerland-- A major tanker oil spill in Tokyo Bay the morning of July 2 poses a serious threat to endangered birds in wetlands surrounding the bay, and various marine species, WWF-World Wide Fund For Nature said today.

A major wetlands habitat could be polluted by the oil slick within hours, threatening as many as 5,000 cormorants and placing three colonies of over 1,500 endangered Little Tern birds in peril, according to WWF-Japan wetlands officer Tobai Sadayosi. The terns are entering into their nesting season and could be severely affected.

"This spill could be the last straw for the Little Tern," said Mr. Sadayosi. "These wetlands areas are already losing ground and the terns are under extreme pressure from people driving over their beach habitat."

"A spill like this a blow to the whole food chain," Tobai explained. "We're concerned about the oil's effect on benthic marine animals because they're an important food source. Once polluted, they'll pass on the contaminants to local bird species and migrating birds due here in August through September."

The spill happened about 6 km southeast of Honmoku pier at Yokohama, adjacent to Tokyo. The single-hulled ship, Diamond Grace, owned by Nippon Yusen K oil transport company, was sailing under a Panamanian flag. The ship was carrying approximately 257,000 tonnes of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates when it collided with a reef.

About 13,000 tonnes of crude oil leaked from the ship--twice the amount spilled in January in an incident which was deemed the worst tanker accident in Japan's history. The ship's captain has been questioned as to why he was navigating in a shallow sea lane only 12 to 17 metres deep.

The next 36 hours are critical. The spill occurred at the entrance of the bay and ecologists fear that it will spread throughout the bay. Ninety percent of the bay's tidal flats have been reclaimed by the sea, leaving small islands of biodiversity critical to the survival of several species of local and migrating birds, and fish and mollusc species. The tidal flats ecosystems serve as *nurseries* for a variety of ocean animals, and are an important element in maintaining healthy fish stocks.

WWF-Japan specialists are currently working with the Wild Bird Society of Japan and other wildlife NGOs to determine a plan of action to reduce the impact of the spill on the wetlands and tidal flats ecosystems. WWF-Japan plans to carry out an emergency survey of cormorant and Little Tern populations. It is also working with Japan's Wildlife Rescue Veterinarian Association which will be attempting to capture and save any wildlife soiled by the slick.

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For more information contact: Elizabeth Foley, WWF-International, +41-22-364-9554, efoley@wwfnet.org

WWF is known as World Wildlife Fund in Canada and the United States of America