WWF-India’s statement on the oil spill off Andaman and Nicobar Island

On August 14, 2006, a Japanese tanker collided with a small Indian vessel, Amar, off the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago while trying to rescue the latter and its crew. The Japanese container - owned by Mitsui OSK Line – spilled over 4500 tonnes of oil in the Indian Ocean before resuming its journey.

Based on preliminary reports by the Indian Coast Guards, it seems there is no immediate threat to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to the distance where the mishap occurred and the prevalent sea conditions. Additionally, as the spilled oil has been categorized as “light oil”, which tends to evaporate rather quickly, WWF hopes that the extent of damage to the environment will be minimal.

However, oil spills and oil slicks have the potential to damage marine ecosystems adversely, and the world has witnessed some major ecological disturbances owing to them in recent years. The long-term effect of an oil spill is subject of much debate in the scientific community due to complex nature of the problem and counter-acting forces involved – for instance, oil is easier to get off rocky coasts than soft marsh of an estuary; in colder regions the fuel can stay around longer than it would in hot regions. The type of oil also makes a difference.

It would have been a disaster if the oil headed in the direction of the islands of Andaman and Nicobar as this archipelago harbors rich marine biodiversity – from coral reefs, mangroves, sandy beaches to dense forest-covered hill slopes and grass lands. Recorded marine biodiversity includes over 1200 species of fishes, 350 species of echinoderms and 1000 species of molluscs.

The Andaman and Nicobar coral reefs are the second richest in the world; coral reefs surround every island and are estimated to cover almost 12,000 sq. km. Highly threatened marine animals, such as the dugong and marine turtles, use this habitat as feeding grounds. Dolphins are abundant, and are frequently seen in open waters and near the shore; blue whales and sperm whales are occasionally sighted as well.

The nation's coastal waters are being exploited at an alarming rate which has had severe impacts on much of India’s marine biodiversity as well as the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities. . WWF-India is concerned that such “oil developments” are being pursued without sufficient safeguards against accident and spillage, with disregard for effects on onshore aesthetic and socio-economic values, and without zoning to protect sensitive and unique areas of marine ecosystems from unsustainable development. Disasters such as this are the result of weak policy and poor implementation of existing regulations. WWF-India calls for stronger safeguards to prevent such incidents in the future which can wreak havoc on marine and coastal biodiversity as well as community livelihoods.