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