Japanese experts are proposing wiping down mangrove trees in Mauritius by hand to remove oil spilled by a Japanese freighter that ran aground off the tropical island, a source familiar with the matter said Saturday.
The idea for cleaning the trees' roots, recently suggested by Japan at a Mauritian government task force meeting, also involves removing any fallen leaves covered in oil. The work would be conducted by a firm chosen by the island nation and it is up to its government to adopt the measure, the source said.
On July 25, the bulk carrier Wakashio, transporting some 3,800 tons of fuel oil and 200 tons of diesel, ran aground near Pointe d'Esny, a wetland of international importance as designated under the Ramsar Convention.