Fishermen join in fight to save Mauritian dolphins near oil spill

CGTN

text

A dead dolphin is seen on a boat as it is brought to the marine fish farm of Mahebourg, Mauritius August 28, 2020. /Reuters

Fishermen have joined in the fight to save injured dolphins that have been washed ashore Mauritian waters near the site of a massive oil spill by a Japanese carrier, MV Wakashio.

A report by Reuters quoting a local fisherman says at least 45 dead dolphins had been found by a fisherman, and half a dozen others are fighting for their lives.

The government ordered autopsies to be conducted on the dead animals, and results of the tests are expected soon.

"The preliminary autopsy report has excluded that oil played a role, however we sent some samples of the dead dolphins to La Reunion to determine why the animals couldn't swim and their radar wasn't functioning," Reuters quotes Jasvin Sok Appadu from the Fisheries Ministry.

On Saturday, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Port Louis to demand stronger action by the government in the quest to determine the cause of the spill as well as the cause of the dolphin deaths.

Fishermen are now doing their part in saving more dolphins that are at risk of dying.

"If they stay inside the lagoon they will die like the others...we are pushing them to go outside the lagoon, so they wont get in touch with the oil," Reuters quotes Yasfeer Heenaye, a fisherman.

Scientists say the full impact of the oil spill is still unfolding, but a lot of damage has already been felt in the island's ecosystem.

The owners of the ship, Nagashiki Shipping, says it is cooperating with local authorities and specialists to remove the remaining part of the carrier from the reef.