Latest news with #ExxonValdez
Time of India
26-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Coast guarding
Times of India's Edit Page team comprises senior journalists with wide-ranging interests who debate and opine on the news and issues of the day. LESS ... MORE A ship sinks near Cochin port, reminds India that preventing oils spills is easier than cleanups Debris has begun to wash ashore Kerala's coast, after a Liberian-flagged cargo ship capsized just 27km away on Sunday. Warnings have been issued, rightly, that people shouldn't get close and touchy with the beached containers. Besides hazardous cargo, oil spill is the other danger. The ship's tanks were carrying over 450 metric tonnes of diesel and furnace oil. India's coast guard and navy did a good job rescuing the crew, but fighting damage to coastal ecosystems and fishing livelihoods may prove a much greater challenge. Recent central govt EnviStats patted Kerala's beaches for having the least polluted waters in the country. Unless the oil spill threat proves punier than feared, all possible resources – including international ones – need to be mobilised to preserve this healthy shoreline. Standard global solutions range from skimming oil from the water surface by various means, using chemical dispersants to break up an oil slick into smaller concentrations, booms to slow its spread, and bioremediation. One disheartening thing is that technological progress on this front leaves a lot to be desired. For example, the fraction of oil spill recovered after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico was not much higher than after the Exxon Valdez oil spill off Alaska three decades earlier. These were both high visibility events that drew billions in cleanup dollars. But environment experts point to optics and efficacy being completely different yardsticks. Bombarding the DP spill with the trademarked Corexit dispersant produced a vast, cloudy suspension. It looked like it was helping. But actually, it only spread the oil further, reaching even more marine life at different depths. Data indicates that not only is removing oil spills from the sea challenging, it is ineffective even in calm waters. So while keeping our fingers crossed that Kerala doesn't have a big tragedy on its hands this time, it is lessons in prevention that would be of real help in the future. For example, could MSC ELSA 3 have been towed away from India when it started listing? At 28 years of age, was this feeder vessel un-portworthy? At 640 containers, was it overweight? Analysing such issues thoroughly is key to lifting the country's trade by sea while protecting it from the dangers ships can visit upon us. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Coast Guard to the rescue: A ship sinks near Kerala
A big cargo ship from another country sank near Cochin port in Kerala, and now bits of it are washing up on the beach. The ship was carrying some dangerous things, including more than 450 tons of oil and diesel. That's a big problem, because oil spills can hurt sea animals, beaches, and the people who fish for a living. The Indian Coast Guard and Navy did a great job saving everyone on the ship. But cleaning up the mess it left behind is much harder. Oil in the ocean can be very bad for the environment. Just recently, Kerala was praised for having some of the cleanest beaches in India. But now, there's a risk that oil could ruin that. That's why it's so important to act fast. There are special ways to deal with oil spills—like using machines to scoop the oil off the water, using chemicals to break it up, or even using helpful bacteria to clean it. But none of these are perfect. In fact, even huge oil spills in other countries, like the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010 or the Exxon Valdez spill many years ago, were really hard to clean up—even though tons of money and effort were spent. Sometimes, the cleanup looks like it's working, but it can actually make things worse by spreading the oil around. That's why experts say it's better to prevent oil spills instead of just trying to clean them up. People are asking: Could this ship have been moved before it sank? Was it too old? Was it carrying too much stuff? By asking these questions and learning from this accident, we can keep our oceans cleaner and safer in the future—and make sure India's beautiful coasts stay that way. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Kyodo News
21-05-2025
- General
- Kyodo News
Japan's last 2 captive sea otters symbolizing species' fragile future
By Remi Shiratori, KYODO NEWS - 10 hours ago - 10:21 | Feature, All A central Japan aquarium offers a rare glimpse of sea otters floating on their backs and using rocks like masterful chefs to crack open clams, mussels and other shellfish treats. However, unfortunately, the opportunity is nearing its end and signaling wider concern for the species. People flock every day to the Toba Aquarium in Mie Prefecture to see the last two remaining sea otters in captivity in Japan. They hope to get an up-close look at the cute mammals and their playful antics. In recent years, the wild sea otter population has plummeted as hunters have targeted the animal for its dense and valuable fur. The situation is made even more dire when combined with environmental pollution, including the aftereffects of the massive Exxon Valdez ocean tanker oil spill off the coast of Alaska in 1989 that killed them in their thousands. Breeding in captivity has also been challenging, and experts are sounding alarm bells about the species' future. "People should not only love sea otters but also pay attention to why they have become an endangered species," advised one expert. At the aquarium in the city of Toba, the two sea otters -- 21-year-old May and 17-year-old Kira -- are by far the most popular attraction. They are the only sea otters remaining in a Japanese aquarium or zoo after the death in January of Riro, who was 17, at Marine World Uminonakamichi in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan. The average lifespan of sea otters in captivity is typically around 20 years. With both May and Kira being female, breeding is not an option and imports of sea otters also ceased in 2003 due to international restrictions. According to the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the number of sea otters in captivity in Japan peaked at 122 in 1994. Since then, their numbers have steadily declined as breeding has proven difficult and mothers have suffered lactation issues, causing problems with feeding the pups that have been born. Opened in May 1955, the Toba Aquarium is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. It is making painstaking efforts to keep May and Kira healthy and alive as long as possible. Breeder Yoshihiro Ishihara, 64, has devised a creative way to encourage them to exercise during feeding. He attaches squid fins high inside the sea otters' enclosure so they are forced to jump and extend both paws to grab their food. In this way, Ishihara can determine their muscle condition and cognitive ability. In an effort to allow as many people as possible to see May and Kira, the aquarium last year began livestreaming their activities around the clock on YouTube. But, due to their popularity, a time limit at the sea otters' enclosure was also introduced from March 17. Visitors are only permitted to stand in the viewing area for up to 1 minute. On March 20, the first holiday following the introduction of the time limit, a long line formed. Takashi Okura, a 66-year-old business owner from Osaka Prefecture and his wife Yuko, 66, expressed sadness that sea otter numbers have dwindled in recent years. "We'll miss them if they're all gone," Okura said. According to Yoko Mitani, a professor of marine mammalogy at Kyoto University and an expert on sea otter ecology, the animals are being preyed upon by killer whales in Alaska, and their habitat is undeniably deteriorating. Because sea otters live in cold regions, "rising sea temperatures due to global warming pose another threat," she pointed out. One ray of hope is confirmation that a population of sea otters has established itself off the eastern coast of Hokkaido, Japan's northern main island, in recent years. "Now that attention to sea otters is growing, we should face dealing with their situation head-on," Mitani said. The Toba Aquarium keeps approximately 1,200 marine species, the most of any aquarium in Japan. In addition to sea otters, it has Japan's only dugong in captivity, and it was the first place in the world to successfully breed finless porpoises. There is no suggested path for visitors to follow at the aquarium, allowing people to have unique experiences such as walking through a transport tunnel with marine mammals. The aquarium also engages in research, conservation projects and educational activities using the animals in its care. "I hope that people come to see the sea otters here and get a true sense of the attraction, prompting them to learn even more about these marine mammals," Toba Aquarium President Yoshihito Wakai, 65, said. Related coverage: FEATURE: Rising pit bull attacks in Japan put spotlight on negligent owners Chimps solve complex problems better when watched by audience: study Demand for pet funerals stronger than ever in Japan
Kyodo News
21-05-2025
- General
- Kyodo News
Japan's last 2 captive sea otters symbolizing species' fragile future
By Remi Shiratori, KYODO NEWS - 4 hours ago - 10:21 | Feature, All A central Japan aquarium offers a rare glimpse of sea otters floating on their backs and using rocks like masterful chefs to crack open clams, mussels and other shellfish treats. However, unfortunately, the opportunity is nearing its end and signaling wider concern for the species. People flock every day to the Toba Aquarium in Mie Prefecture to see the last two remaining sea otters in captivity in Japan. They hope to get an up-close look at the cute mammals and their playful antics. In recent years, the wild sea otter population has plummeted as hunters have targeted the animal for its dense and valuable fur. The situation is made even more dire when combined with environmental pollution, including the aftereffects of the massive Exxon Valdez ocean tanker oil spill off the coast of Alaska in 1989 that killed them in their thousands. Breeding in captivity has also been challenging, and experts are sounding alarm bells about the species' future. "People should not only love sea otters but also pay attention to why they have become an endangered species," advised one expert. At the aquarium in the city of Toba, the two sea otters -- 21-year-old May and 17-year-old Kira -- are by far the most popular attraction. They are the only sea otters remaining in a Japanese aquarium or zoo after the death in January of Riro, who was 17, at Marine World Uminonakamichi in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan. The average lifespan of sea otters in captivity is typically around 20 years. With both May and Kira being female, breeding is not an option and imports of sea otters also ceased in 2003 due to international restrictions. According to the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the number of sea otters in captivity in Japan peaked at 122 in 1994. Since then, their numbers have steadily declined as breeding has proven difficult and mothers have suffered lactation issues, causing problems with feeding the pups that have been born. Opened in May 1955, the Toba Aquarium is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. It is making painstaking efforts to keep May and Kira healthy and alive as long as possible. Breeder Yoshihiro Ishihara, 64, has devised a creative way to encourage them to exercise during feeding. He attaches squid fins high inside the sea otters' enclosure so they are forced to jump and extend both paws to grab their food. In this way, Ishihara can determine their muscle condition and cognitive ability. In an effort to allow as many people as possible to see May and Kira, the aquarium last year began livestreaming their activities around the clock on YouTube. But, due to their popularity, a time limit at the sea otters' enclosure was also introduced from March 17. Visitors are only permitted to stand in the viewing area for up to 1 minute. On March 20, the first holiday following the introduction of the time limit, a long line formed. Takashi Okura, a 66-year-old business owner from Osaka Prefecture and his wife Yuko, 66, expressed sadness that sea otter numbers have dwindled in recent years. "We'll miss them if they're all gone," Okura said. According to Yoko Mitani, a professor of marine mammalogy at Kyoto University and an expert on sea otter ecology, the animals are being preyed upon by killer whales in Alaska, and their habitat is undeniably deteriorating. Because sea otters live in cold regions, "rising sea temperatures due to global warming pose another threat," she pointed out. One ray of hope is confirmation that a population of sea otters has established itself off the eastern coast of Hokkaido, Japan's northern main island, in recent years. "Now that attention to sea otters is growing, we should face dealing with their situation head-on," Mitani said. The Toba Aquarium keeps approximately 1,200 marine species, the most of any aquarium in Japan. In addition to sea otters, it has Japan's only dugong in captivity, and it was the first place in the world to successfully breed finless porpoises. There is no suggested path for visitors to follow at the aquarium, allowing people to have unique experiences such as walking through a transport tunnel with marine mammals. The aquarium also engages in research, conservation projects and educational activities using the animals in its care. "I hope that people come to see the sea otters here and get a true sense of the attraction, prompting them to learn even more about these marine mammals," Toba Aquarium President Yoshihito Wakai, 65, said. Related coverage: FEATURE: Rising pit bull attacks in Japan put spotlight on negligent owners Chimps solve complex problems better when watched by audience: study Demand for pet funerals stronger than ever in Japan
Kyodo News
21-05-2025
- General
- Kyodo News
FEATURE: Japan's last 2 captive sea otters symbolizing species' fragile future
By Remi Shiratori, KYODO NEWS - 8 minutes ago - 10:21 | Feature, All A central Japan aquarium offers a rare glimpse of sea otters floating on their backs and using rocks like masterful chefs to crack open clams, mussels and other shellfish treats. However, unfortunately, the opportunity is nearing its end and signaling wider concern for the species. People flock every day to the Toba Aquarium in Mie Prefecture to see the last two remaining sea otters in captivity in Japan. They hope to get an up-close look at the cute mammals and their playful antics. In recent years, the wild sea otter population has plummeted as hunters have targeted the animal for its dense and valuable fur. The situation is made even more dire when combined with environmental pollution, including the aftereffects of the massive Exxon Valdez ocean tanker oil spill off the coast of Alaska in 1989 that killed them in their thousands. Breeding in captivity has also been challenging, and experts are sounding alarm bells about the species' future. "People should not only love sea otters but also pay attention to why they have become an endangered species," advised one expert. At the aquarium in the city of Toba, the two sea otters -- 21-year-old May and 17-year-old Kira -- are by far the most popular attraction. They are the only sea otters remaining in a Japanese aquarium or zoo after the death in January of Riro, who was 17, at Marine World Uminonakamichi in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan. The average lifespan of sea otters in captivity is typically around 20 years. With both May and Kira being female, breeding is not an option and imports of sea otters also ceased in 2003 due to international restrictions. According to the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the number of sea otters in captivity in Japan peaked at 122 in 1994. Since then, their numbers have steadily declined as breeding has proven difficult and mothers have suffered lactation issues, causing problems with feeding the pups that have been born. Opened in May 1955, the Toba Aquarium is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. It is making painstaking efforts to keep May and Kira healthy and alive as long as possible. Breeder Yoshihiro Ishihara, 64, has devised a creative way to encourage them to exercise during feeding. He attaches squid fins high inside the sea otters' enclosure so they are forced to jump and extend both paws to grab their food. In this way, Ishihara can determine their muscle condition and cognitive ability. In an effort to allow as many people as possible to see May and Kira, the aquarium last year began livestreaming their activities around the clock on YouTube. But, due to their popularity, a time limit at the sea otters' enclosure was also introduced from March 17. Visitors are only permitted to stand in the viewing area for up to 1 minute. On March 20, the first holiday following the introduction of the time limit, a long line formed. Takashi Okura, a 66-year-old business owner from Osaka Prefecture and his wife Yuko, 66, expressed sadness that sea otter numbers have dwindled in recent years. "We'll miss them if they're all gone," Okura said. According to Yoko Mitani, a professor of marine mammalogy at Kyoto University and an expert on sea otter ecology, the animals are being preyed upon by killer whales in Alaska, and their habitat is undeniably deteriorating. Because sea otters live in cold regions, "rising sea temperatures due to global warming pose another threat," she pointed out. One ray of hope is confirmation that a population of sea otters has established itself off the eastern coast of Hokkaido, Japan's northern main island, in recent years. "Now that attention to sea otters is growing, we should face dealing with their situation head-on," Mitani said. The Toba Aquarium keeps approximately 1,200 marine species, the most of any aquarium in Japan. In addition to sea otters, it has Japan's only dugong in captivity, and it was the first place in the world to successfully breed finless porpoises. There is no suggested path for visitors to follow at the aquarium, allowing people to have unique experiences such as walking through a transport tunnel with marine mammals. The aquarium also engages in research, conservation projects and educational activities using the animals in its care. "I hope that people come to see the sea otters here and get a true sense of the attraction, prompting them to learn even more about these marine mammals," Toba Aquarium President Yoshihito Wakai, 65, said. Related coverage: FEATURE: Rising pit bull attacks in Japan put spotlight on negligent owners Chimps solve complex problems better when watched by audience: study Demand for pet funerals stronger than ever in Japan
