Rena debris wash up on to Bay beaches

Plastic beads have been spotted amongst other ocean debris washed up along Papamoa beaches. Photo / Supplied

Concerns have been raised after plastic beads and timber were found washed ashore along the Bay of Plenty coastline.

The latest appearance of debris, possibly from Rena's wreck at Astrolabe Reef, comes nearly four years after the cargo ship grounded on October 5, 2011.

A concerned resident contacted the Bay of Plenty Times after finding plastic beads washed ashore again at Papamoa after Tuesday's storm.

"It's a serious issue. It's obvious to anyone who's been down on the beach," said the man who did not want to be named. "They [the beads] are almost indistinguishable from things that should be there and the birds don't know any different. The Rena insurer should be making sure these things are responded to as soon as possible.

"These things are just a reminder that this stuff stays around."

Plastic beads have been found several times on the Bay's shoreline following stormy weather.

Nga Potiki representative Matire Duncan said she was concerned beads and timber were washing ashore in parts of the Bay such as Matakana Island. "We are aware that there are still containers still lost in the ocean."

Ms Duncan said beads were of particular concern to the health of wildlife and fish, some of which are believed to have died after ingesting plastic beads. "One of the things that we want to push is ongoing monitoring of our shores because of those containers. Nga Potiki would be one of many iwi and hapu making submissions in the hearing which begins next week.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council pollutions officer Stephen Mellor said the regional council was not aware of the washed up beads and had not received any complaints from the public.

"Now we are aware of it, we will create a complaint and get down there straight away," Mr Mellor said.

He said the regional council last received a complaint in early August.

Hugo Shanahan, a spokesman for the Rena's owners, told the Bay of Plenty Times the plastic beads washed up along Papamoa's shore could be from the Rena.

"It could be from beads that were contained on the Rena, they could be Rena beads," Mr Shanahan said.

Mr Shanahan said the source of the beads that were on board the wreck were dealt with but some were lost at sea.

"Those beads on Papamoa Beach, if they are Rena beads, they may have resurfaced and can be pushed along the coastline."

Mr Shanahan said a shoreline debris contractor did regular surveys of the Bay of Plenty coastline.

However after a "significant survey", there had been no reports of plastic beads, he added.

Hearing date for Rena consent

* The hearing of the application for consent to leave part of the MV Rena on Astrolabe Reef will begin on September 7 at ASB Stadium.

* The hearing will run for approximately three weeks.

* Factors to be considered at the hearing include Maori culture, salvage, contaminants and ecology, planning, natural character and landscape, dive safety and navigation and social recreation.

* Work to be done before the hearing included surveys, video imaging data, an ecological characterisation report, most recent sampling results and copper recovery report which
would be sent to the regional council and submitters.