© Gunther Deichmann - WWII shipwreck in the
Truk Lagoon, Chuuk Micronesia

WWII wrecks 'threaten Micronesia'
By Phil Mercer BBC News, Sydney
Micronesia's main sources of revenue are
diving and fishing

Australian scientists are warning of an environmental disaster in Micronesia as World War II wrecks start to leak fuel into the region's pristine lagoons.
The wrecks attract tourists from all over the world but now appear to be a serious pollution threat.
Thousands of Japanese and US vessels are scattered on the sea beds in the area and have become home to an abundance of marine life.
Micronesia is in the western Pacific Ocean and consists of 600 islands.
Diving and fishing are the region's main sources of revenue, but both could be severely damaged by a toxic threat that lurks in the tropical waters.
Scientists have said that an oil slick from a submerged ship is already contaminating the Chuuk lagoon, where dozens of Japanese vessels were sunk by American bombers...
read more @
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-
pacific/7603993.stm

Tags: WWII Wrecks in Micronesia, Marine and Conservation, Oil Spill, Polution, TOURISM, Fishing, Pacific Ocean, Operation Hailstone, Japanese WWII Wrecks, Chuuk Lagoon