Sunken Tanker In Meghna: Oil spill poses threat to hilsa sanctuary

A huge amount of crude oil has leaked onto the Meghna and is spreading fast into the Bay of Bengal, after an unidentified vessel crashed into a tanker in Bhola Sadar's Tultoli area early Sunday.

The government was scrambling to clean up the thick layer of oil from the water yesterday, as the massive oil slick poses a threat to a nearby hilsa sanctuary and the river's aquatic life.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Enayet Hossain, officer-in-charge of Bhola Sadar Police Station, said the tanker, Sagor Nandini-2, was hit by an unidentified vessel around 4:00am.

Marine science experts, zoologist and fisheries officials suspect extensive damage to the biodiversity and aquatic life, including the hilsa, following the leak from the tanker, which was carrying an estimated 11 lakh litres of fuel.

Maksudur Rahman, master of the tanker, told Bangla Daily Prothom Alo that they set out from Chattogram for Chandpur. Another vessel, due to a lack of visibility, bumped into the tanker, creating a crack in the bottom.

"With the help from nearby vessels, we managed to survive. But most of the oil in the meantime leaked onto the river. The coast guard was able to remove 1,000 litres so far."

However, coast guard officials claimed the tanker had eight compartments – six containing nine lakh litres of diesel and the rest octane. One compartment remained intact and how much oil was actually spilt cannot be estimated as yet.

They further claimed to have removed two lakh litres from the waterbody.

Hasan Kerani, a farmer in Daulatpur upazila, told the Bangla daily that fishermen were trying to soak up the oil from the water using towels and cloths.

"Almost all the oil [from the tanker] had drained out as the water ebbed into the Bay."

Anisur Rahman Talukder, hilsa researcher, said the spill will directly harm the growth of planktons, which is usually consumed by hilsa.

"The oil will dissolve into the water, which will undermine the water quality and ultimately harm hilsa production."

He urged the government to remove the oil as quickly as possible.

"It could damage the ecosystem and also affect hilsa movement and the nearby sanctuary … We can confirm the extent of damage after examining the area."

Md Tota Mia, assistant director of the Department of Environment, said, "The spilt oil got washed away during the ebb into the sea. We still can't confirm its quantity."

Nurul Azim Shikder, associate professor of Chattogram University's marine science department, told The Daily Star that the damage from the spill would be multifaceted.

"The aquatic life, marine birds and overall riverine and marine ecosystems would be the first to suffer. The thick layer of oil would block sunlight from reaching into water, which will stop planktons to grow -- a severe blow to fish and mammal species in the Meghna. The spill finally will end up in the ocean and harm its biodiversity."

SALVAGE OPERATION

KM Shafiul Kinjal, media officer of the Coast Guard (South Zone), said efforts have been underway to remove the oil since 5:00pm Sunday.

He claimed the oil has not spread too far.

"We are having to extract it along with the water. We will be able to separate the oil once the necessary equipment arrive."

Abdus Salam, joint director (rescue) of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, said they will start their salvage operations this morning, as they previously did not have a rescue vessel to lift the submerged tanker.

"The owner of the tanker sent rescue vessels, so we can carry out operations today."