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Dumped rice destroys reefs in Curaçao
Volume 30/Number lO/Octoker 1995
embryos ascertained. The lower survival rates of the embryos from oil-contaminated streams have indicated a possible genetic rather than environmental effect. Further research is being carried out alongside a second study of sockeye salmon populations.
Dumped Rice Destroys Reefs in Curaqao On 20 June 1995, the 67 m-long Znfiniti carrying a cargo of unpolished rice drifted aground at Hambrak on one of the most luxuriant fringing reef tracts of the Underwater Park of Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. Attempts were made to free the vessel using engines and rudder, whilst increasing seas set the stricken vessel further ashore. Despite the efforts of two tugs from Curaqao port, the ship became stuck in 4 m of water. It was finally freed on 22 June, after jettisoning 400 t of rice. Divers were quick to note that the dumped rice was smothering corals and by 28 June the Foundation Reef Care Curacao had obtained a bid for removal of the rice and urged the government to take action. On the same day, divers of the Carmabi Foundation and STINAPA (Netherlands Antilles National Parks Foundation) found that the physical damage caused by the grounding was spread out over an area of approximately 5100 m2, of which about half was totally destroyed having been scoured completely clean of coral growth. The rice, which had been dumped at depths of around 4 m, was now concentrated within the damage area at depths of 6 m, having moved an average distance of 30 m across the reef plateau towards the drop-off some 90 m from the shore. Contrary to initial speculation, the rice was found to have moved principally offshore, instead of long-shore, in response to the predominant current direction. As the rice pocket migrated it threatened to smother additional areas of the reef. In the days that followed the government expressed its willingness to cover the expenses of the clean-up, but asked for an update on the situation. On 7 July, 15 days after the dumping, Carmabi/ STINAPA divers observed that the rice had largely spilled over the drop-off and was affecting a much larger area at depths down to 30 m. Again, Carmabi/ STINAPA divers urged to have the rice removed as soon as possible, however, no decision was forthcoming. By 26 July, more than a month after the grounding had taken place, in excess of 100 t of rice still lay rotting at depths of between 18 and 36 m and more lay at even greater depths (up to 55 m). The combined reef area destroyed in the mishap was estimated at a minimum of 8500 m2 (not counting any gradual or sublethal effects adjacent to and downstream from the main impact site). At that point Carmabi/STINAPA advised that there was little further need to remove the rice. The likelihood of it threatening additional tracts of reef was deemed to be diminishing rapidly as it moved further down the reef slope. However, the conclusion was that had action been taken promptly, the greater part of the damage
could have been averted. Because of the lack of coordination early in the incident, the decision process seemed to run its course via the news media. Early news reports claiming that fish would eat the rice or that waves would simply wash it away in a week or two were incorrect, damaging any chances of producing the necessary response to protect the reef. Considering the importance of the coastal zone, among others, to tourism, fisheries and recreation, it is surprising that Curacao does not have an entity with the combination of authority, structure, expertise and technical capability necessary for effective decisionmaking and action in the case of environmental emergencies. ADOLPHE
0. DEBROT
News-in-Brief United Nations The United Nations Secretary General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, has been petitioned by 70 environmental groups from 14 nations for a phase-out of persistent organochlorines and chemicals such as DDT, chlordane, PCBs and others. Many of these are already banned or severely restricted in the United States. A recent Japanese global monitoring cruise found organochlorines everywhere in the air and surface waters of the oceans. PCBs are toxic and particularly stable. Scientists believe that the electrical equipment holding at least 15% of the world’s PCBs as coolant, is beginning to wear out in developing nations and fear the chemicals may be released into the marine environment.
Canada Canada is set to announce its biggest ever seal cull, expected to be nearly 300000 animals. The cull is being sanctioned on the grounds that the seals are the major cause of the collapse of the country’s fish stocks, which are currently at their lowest ever recorded level. According to the Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, seals are consuming almost 7 million tonnes of fish and other prey per year. This is about twice that consumed by the Canadian population. Apparently the Atlantic harp seal population has doubled since 1970, now standing at 4.8 million. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) disputes the claim that seals are affecting the recovery of fish stocks and has said that killing seals could actually make things worse because they also eat the predators of commercial fish species such as cod. The IFAW is appealing to shoppers, particularly in the UK, to boycott Canadian fish, especially canned salmon, of which they are the world’s biggest consumers.
Australia An Australian scientist believes he has found a solution to a major problem facing the country’s $20 million a 631
embryos ascertained. The lower survival rates of the embryos from oil-contaminated streams have indicated a possible genetic rather than environmental effect. Further research is being carried out alongside a second study of sockeye salmon populations.
Dumped Rice Destroys Reefs in Curaqao On 20 June 1995, the 67 m-long Znfiniti carrying a cargo of unpolished rice drifted aground at Hambrak on one of the most luxuriant fringing reef tracts of the Underwater Park of Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. Attempts were made to free the vessel using engines and rudder, whilst increasing seas set the stricken vessel further ashore. Despite the efforts of two tugs from Curaqao port, the ship became stuck in 4 m of water. It was finally freed on 22 June, after jettisoning 400 t of rice. Divers were quick to note that the dumped rice was smothering corals and by 28 June the Foundation Reef Care Curacao had obtained a bid for removal of the rice and urged the government to take action. On the same day, divers of the Carmabi Foundation and STINAPA (Netherlands Antilles National Parks Foundation) found that the physical damage caused by the grounding was spread out over an area of approximately 5100 m2, of which about half was totally destroyed having been scoured completely clean of coral growth. The rice, which had been dumped at depths of around 4 m, was now concentrated within the damage area at depths of 6 m, having moved an average distance of 30 m across the reef plateau towards the drop-off some 90 m from the shore. Contrary to initial speculation, the rice was found to have moved principally offshore, instead of long-shore, in response to the predominant current direction. As the rice pocket migrated it threatened to smother additional areas of the reef. In the days that followed the government expressed its willingness to cover the expenses of the clean-up, but asked for an update on the situation. On 7 July, 15 days after the dumping, Carmabi/ STINAPA divers observed that the rice had largely spilled over the drop-off and was affecting a much larger area at depths down to 30 m. Again, Carmabi/ STINAPA divers urged to have the rice removed as soon as possible, however, no decision was forthcoming. By 26 July, more than a month after the grounding had taken place, in excess of 100 t of rice still lay rotting at depths of between 18 and 36 m and more lay at even greater depths (up to 55 m). The combined reef area destroyed in the mishap was estimated at a minimum of 8500 m2 (not counting any gradual or sublethal effects adjacent to and downstream from the main impact site). At that point Carmabi/STINAPA advised that there was little further need to remove the rice. The likelihood of it threatening additional tracts of reef was deemed to be diminishing rapidly as it moved further down the reef slope. However, the conclusion was that had action been taken promptly, the greater part of the damage
could have been averted. Because of the lack of coordination early in the incident, the decision process seemed to run its course via the news media. Early news reports claiming that fish would eat the rice or that waves would simply wash it away in a week or two were incorrect, damaging any chances of producing the necessary response to protect the reef. Considering the importance of the coastal zone, among others, to tourism, fisheries and recreation, it is surprising that Curacao does not have an entity with the combination of authority, structure, expertise and technical capability necessary for effective decisionmaking and action in the case of environmental emergencies. ADOLPHE
0. DEBROT
News-in-Brief United Nations The United Nations Secretary General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, has been petitioned by 70 environmental groups from 14 nations for a phase-out of persistent organochlorines and chemicals such as DDT, chlordane, PCBs and others. Many of these are already banned or severely restricted in the United States. A recent Japanese global monitoring cruise found organochlorines everywhere in the air and surface waters of the oceans. PCBs are toxic and particularly stable. Scientists believe that the electrical equipment holding at least 15% of the world’s PCBs as coolant, is beginning to wear out in developing nations and fear the chemicals may be released into the marine environment.
Canada Canada is set to announce its biggest ever seal cull, expected to be nearly 300000 animals. The cull is being sanctioned on the grounds that the seals are the major cause of the collapse of the country’s fish stocks, which are currently at their lowest ever recorded level. According to the Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, seals are consuming almost 7 million tonnes of fish and other prey per year. This is about twice that consumed by the Canadian population. Apparently the Atlantic harp seal population has doubled since 1970, now standing at 4.8 million. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) disputes the claim that seals are affecting the recovery of fish stocks and has said that killing seals could actually make things worse because they also eat the predators of commercial fish species such as cod. The IFAW is appealing to shoppers, particularly in the UK, to boycott Canadian fish, especially canned salmon, of which they are the world’s biggest consumers.
Australia An Australian scientist believes he has found a solution to a major problem facing the country’s $20 million a 631