A severe weather watch has been issued for the area where a container ship has been leaking oil off the coast of Tauranga.
The MV Rena has been stuck on the Astrolabe Reef since Wednesday.
It has already spewed 20 tonnes of fuel oil into the sea, sparking a massive operation to try to offload the 2000 tonnes it's still carrying.
The Navy is on its way to help the clean-up effort, with the HMNZS Endeavour scheduled to arrive in Tauranga around six this evening.
Public health warning after spill
Earlier today a public health warning was issued for Bay of Plenty residents not to eat seafood from waters around the Rena.
Medical Officer of Health Jim Miller said no shellfish or fin fish should be eaten from waters with visible oil contamination.
He's highlighted Motiti Island as an area that should be avoided for the collection of shellfish and warned against consuming any seafood with an off, or petrol-like, smell.
Although there is no evidence of the oil spill reaching the coastline, conditions are continually changing, he said, and the health advisory will remain in place until further notice.
NZ Herald, 9 October
2 comments:
I'm so sorry NZ now has to join this unhappy club of oil spill disaster sites!
Not a club I care to join!
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