Zamaneh Media
  • Latest Articles
  • Latest News
  • About Zamaneh Media
    • Exiled Media Report
    • Sponsors
    • Donate
    • Contact us
    • Legal
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest Articles
  • Latest News
  • About Zamaneh Media
    • Exiled Media Report
    • Sponsors
    • Donate
    • Contact us
    • Legal
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
Zamaneh Media
No Result
View All Result

Smugglers, shipwrecks threaten condition of Persian Gulf waters

by Zamaneh Media
April 30, 2014
in Latest Articles
Reading Time: 3min read
0
Smugglers, shipwrecks threaten condition of Persian Gulf waters

Fuel smugglers are among the main polluters of Persian Gulf waters. According to Iran’s Department of Environmental Protection, smugglers release more than five million litres of fuel into Persian Gulf waters each year.

When these smugglers are chased by the Navy or the Environment Department’s coastal patrols, they empty their fuel cargo into the water to keep from getting arrested. Parvin Farshchi, the department’s marine deputy, told a press conference on Sunday April 20 that smuggled fuel is now the Persian Gulf’s biggest environmental problem, which has intensified in the past two years.

Farshchi cited Navy statistics, saying: “In the past year, more than five million litres of fuel have poured into the Persian Gulf, and most of that is from ships carrying smuggled fuel. Right now they have become a large fuel-trafficking gang.”
Farshchi called on all relevant government bodies to make a coherent effort to confront this problem. She announced that they have already established a National Committee against fuel smuggling in the Persian Gulf, with members from the Department of Environmental Protection, the Navy and provincial officials.

Widespread Pollution in Persian Gulf

The Persian Gulf is one of the main routes for energy transport in the world, and thousands of ships and oil tankers travel through it each year, resulting in serious pollution. Oil spills or waste discharges from these vessels, sinking ships and the collision of oil tankers all lead to further pollution of this international waterway.

The construction of oil platforms by many different companies and the construction of several oil refineries and crude-oil complexes in the coastal region of the Persian Gulf further contribute to the pollution of these waters. According to estimates, anywhere from 1.5 million to two million barrels of oil are released into the Persian Gulf waters each year.

The Department of the Environment’s marine deputy says the introduction of non-native species to the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman through ships’ ballast water causes other environmental problems. Fashchi pointed out that in recent years, the department has witnessed the widespread death of dolphins in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, adding that it has established a committee to save marine mammals, especially dolphins and sea turtles.

Request for Help from the Army

The Department of the Environment has already called for the support of the Navy in projects to protect the Persian Gulf ecosystem. It says the Navy can use its technological capabilities and equipment to prevent ships from sinking in Persian Gulf waters, which would have a very positive effect in the fight against pollution.

Environment officials believe the Navy could also help by installing artificial habitats on the Persian Gulf seabed that would serve as protected areas for marine organisms living on the sea floor.

Opposition to Removal of the Ship the Raffaello from the Persian Gulf

The Department of the Environment says it opposes the removal of the sunken ship Raffaello from the waters of the Persian Gulf. Parvin Farshchi says removing the Raffaello, which has been there for more than 30 years, would have an adverse environmental impact. The ship, according to Farshchi, has become a station for undersea creatures. In addition, the removing the ship would increase turbidity in the Persian Gulf waters.

According to the Department of the Environment, other than the Raffaello there are about 1,200 sunken ships of various sizes in the Persian Gulf. Forty of these are giant ships, and their removal requires direct permission from the Department of the Environment.

Previous Post

Banned Ebtekar newspaper allowed to reopen

Next Post

Iranian official says workers should get permit for march

Related Posts

Veiled Identity
Latest Articles

Veiled Identity

February 22, 2021
Untold Stories from Encyclopaedia Iranica: Interview with Abbas Amanat
Latest Articles

Untold Stories from Encyclopaedia Iranica: Interview with Abbas Amanat

February 11, 2021
November 2019: Which security and militia institutions started violence and shot people?
Latest Articles

November 2019: Which security and militia institutions started violence and shot people?

January 8, 2021
Encyclopedia Iranica “A real tour de force” is in Peril
Latest Articles

Encyclopedia Iranica “A real tour de force” is in Peril

December 24, 2020
The US Election and the Iranians’ Views: a Reflection of the Hatred for the IRI
Latest Articles

The US Election and the Iranians’ Views: a Reflection of the Hatred for the IRI

November 3, 2020
Invitation to Reflect on a Beheading
Latest Articles

Invitation to Reflect on a Beheading

November 2, 2020

RSS Iran in other media

  • President Biden orders airstrike against Iran-backed militia in Syria following rocket attacks against US forces in Iraq - WBNG-TV
  • President Biden orders airstrike against Iran-backed militia following rocket attacks against US forces in Ir - The San Diego Union-Tribune
  • Biden approves air strike against Iranian-backed militia target in Syria: officials - Sydney Morning Herald
  • Iranian journalist wins International Press Freedom Award - Insider
  • Jafarzadeh: 'Weak' Iran regime needs nuclear weapons to appear strong - Yahoo News
  • Iran urges all parties in Armenia to exercise restraint - Anadolu Agency
  • Senators Hyde-Smith, Cotton & Others Introduce Iran Sanctions Resolution - Northside Sun
  • New Iran-based Al-Qaeda head 'a potential asset to Tehran' - Arab News
  • Iran's nuclear program and regional behavior should be dealt with separately, Israel tells U.S. - Axios
  • Biden Needs to Involve Iran's Central Bank Governor to Revive the JCPOA - Foreign Policy
Zamaneh Media

© 2020 Zamaneh Media

More information

  • Sponsors
  • Donate
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Legal

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest Articles
  • Latest News
  • About Zamaneh Media
    • Exiled Media Report
    • Sponsors
    • Donate
    • Contact us
    • Legal
  • Advertise

© 2020 Zamaneh Media