Title: Massive Oil Spill Causes Severe Damage to Birds and Coastline in Southern Sweden
Introduction:
An oil spill caused by the grounding of the passenger ship Marco Polo has led to significant environmental damage along the coast of southern Sweden. Thousands of birds have been affected, with approximately 15-20 percent showing visible oil damage. Efforts to capture and rehabilitate the affected birds have proven challenging due to their elusive behavior. In addition, the clean-up work has been hindered by rain and wind, prolonging the restoration process in the affected areas.
Oil Damage to Birds and Wildlife:
According to Jonas Engzell, the municipal ecologist at the Blekinge Väst Environmental Association, the affected birds have exhibited abnormal grooming behavior. Only a small number of birds, about 15, have been captured and are currently undergoing rehabilitation. Engzell explains that the oil-damaged birds are difficult to capture, as many of them stay on rocks or fly away when approached. Due to the ongoing migration season, contaminated birds are likely to be found along the entire Skåne coast in the coming weeks.
Amount of Oil Spilled and Challenges in Clean-Up:
The grounded ship, Marco Polo, has caused an estimated spillage of 14,000 liters of oil along the coastline. However, the clean-up work has come to a standstill as most of the remaining oil has sunk below the water’s surface. The cold water temperature has caused the oil to sink to the bottom, making it challenging to locate and mitigate the damage. The Coast Guard has been unable to capture the oil that has already reached the land, further complicating the clean-up effort.
Ongoing Efforts and Future Forecasts:
The affected municipality of Sölvesborg has been hit hardest by the oil spill, and the clean-up work is expected to continue for several months. Non-profit organizations, such as Katastrophhjalp Fåglar och Wilt and Blue Star, are actively involved in rescuing and rehabilitating affected animals. Anders Borgman, the crisis and preparedness coordinator in Sölvesborg, expresses concern over the suffering of animals and nature, emphasizing that the work required will take months, rather than weeks. Forecasts indicate that the oil spill may also reach the Scanian coast, impacting a larger area in the future.
Negligence Suspected:
Two crew members from the ship Marco Polo are suspected of negligence in maritime traffic of the normal degree. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the grounding and oil spill.
Conclusion:
The oil spill caused by the grounding of the Marco Polo ship has led to significant damage to birds and coastlines in southern Sweden. Efforts to capture and rehabilitate the affected birds have been challenging, and the clean-up work has been hindered by unfavorable weather conditions. The impacted areas are expected to require months of work for full restoration. Authorities are investigating the negligence of two crew members in relation to the incident.