KARACHI, Feb 5: A study group on the “effects of oil spillage from oil tanker Tasman Spirit” has urged the government to update the existing marine laws and bring those in line with the international conventions.

The group, formed by the Defence Residents Society (DRS), to study the impact of oil spill from Tasman Sprit, in the Arabian sea, in its nine-page report, which was presented to Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan on Feb 3, said that “there appeared to be no controversy on the point that it was an outdated tanker, unfit to carry such a heavy load of oil (67,535 tonnes), and, therefore, the agency which chartered Tasman Spirit for carriage of oil was answerable for the mishap.”

According to the report, prepared by former chief justice of Pakistan, Justice (retd) Saiduzzaman Siddiqui, who was chairman of the study group, about 26000 tonnes of light crude oil spilled into sea water. Consequently, as per environment experts, the immediate effect of spillage in the sea water caused heavy destruction of phytoplankton (sea-grass) which plays an important role in maintaining adequate supply of oxygen in the atmosphere, the report said.

In addition, a wholesale destruction of wealth of fish threatening billions of rupees of export by the country’s fisheries industry, which provides livelihood to about 300,000 people; extensive damage to the rich mangroves ecosystem, including destruction of millions of mangroves seedlings; soiling of Clifton beach, the main recreational site for millions of Karachi dwellers, also took place in the wake of oil spill.

Among the long-term environmental damage, the experts foresee carcinogenic process in sea animals and reproductive and genetic damage; damage to the respiratory organs and clogging of the filtering mechanism of fish; imbalance in cycles of plant life and even if fish are no killed the degradation process is likely to consume large quantities of dissolved oxygen which is vital to preserve the life at sea, added the report.

Referring to meetings of the study group and experts from different fields, the report recalled the support extended by the then MS of Civil Hospital, who provided the data collected by the CHK on the basis of cases reported by Saddar, Bin Qasim and Keamari towns of Karachi bordering the place of disaster and those directly reported at CHK.

According to Civil Hospital data, 743 cases with general complaints were reported as the immediate effect of the environmental disaster taking place after going aground and consequent breaking up of Tasman Spirit in two portions in Karachi port water, near Sea View Apartment, in July-August, 2003.

While quoting some past events of oil spillage, the DRS group said in view one earlier incident of oil spill from a tanker hired by the PNSC in 2002 it was reasonably expected that the concerned agencies would take precautionary and protective measures to prevent repetition of similar incidents, but it appeared that they remained oblivion of their responsibility resulting in the Tasman Spirit incidents, which played havoc with the marine life and extensively polluted the environment in and around the coastal belt of Karachi.

In the meantime, according to official sources, after receiving the report from DRS group, the Sindh governor said he would bring the details of the report to the notice of President and Prime Minister as well as other concerned quarters so that in the light of the same, some required remedial measures could be initiated.

The governor assured the delegation that government would take necessary steps for meeting the international conventions and the rules and regulations as well.

After the grounding of Tasman Spirit, DRS had formed a Study Group, comprising Justice (Retd) Saiduzzaman Siddiqui-Chairman, DRS President Zafar Iqbal-chief coordinator, Captain Haleem Siddiqui, Afzal Muneef, Col (Retd) Rashid Fatimi, Captain Syed Akhlaque Hussain, Mahmood Ahmed, Raffat Zaheer, Pervez Iqbal, M Farooqui, Dr A Aman and Mushtaq Ali Talpur, as members.

The study group recommended that the government should through a legislation acquire the right to sue on behalf of all the victims of the disaster to avoid difficulties of litigation by the individuals.

It was further suggested that the government should take appropriate steps for signing necessary international conventions dealing with the damage arising out from oil pollution caused by ships to avail the benefit from these.

The liability of the owner of ship be determined in appropriate civil proceedings for the damage caused to the individuals living in the coastal areas of Karachi, besides damage caused to marine life, plant life and environment on account of oil spillage.

The government should consider desirability of establishing a relief fund to provide compensation to the worst affected victims of the disaster with its own fund and obtain contribution from shipping sector.

A national plan of action be prepared to meet the exigencies, like the Tasman Spirit oil spillage in future in the light of the various assessment reports, prepared by IUCN, UNEP, UNDP and Sindh EPA, included the group’s recommendations.