A total of 12 tonnes of oil and affected debris has been collected by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council following the Mobil oil spill that leaked into the Tauranga Harbour on Monday.
This afternoon the regional council released an update on their recovery efforts, stating some oil remains underthe Port of Tauranga wharf but was being absorbed by about 70 booms on a daily basis. The booms can absorb up to 20 litres of oil each.
It stated a clean-up crew of about 70 people worked yesterday to clean up oil at Maungatapu and Bridge Marina and shoreline assessments continued. The workers included staff from Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Tauranga City Council, Ministry for Primary Industries fisheries officers, Envirowaste, trained oil responders from Waikato Regional Council and volunteers from local iwi/hapu and the community.
Oil and oil covered waste and debris, including sand, had been recovered from Maungatapu and Motupuhi Island shoreline and Bridge Marina. Work was continuing at these sites today.
The waste is being disposed of by Envirowaste at the specialist facility at Hampton Downs in the Waikato.
Scientists from Regional Council and University of Waikato accompanied by iwi are surveying affected areas of the harbour and taking samples to measure any impacts on shellfish and sea grass. It will be a few weeks before analysis of the first sampling round is completed.
One moderately oiled penguin was found on Wednesday night. It was cleaned and released last night. Mauao Wildlife Trust volunteers are continuing to check penguin roosts on Mauao and Motoriki (Leisure Island) each night.
The regional council stated effects on birdlife appeared to remain minimal.
DOC staff have been checking high tide roost sites and other areas around the harbour, a small number of lightly oiled shags, penguins and gulls been observed but have not required capture. Any oiled wildlife found should be reported to DOC 0800 362 468 (0800 DOC HOT).
Image 1 of 15: Regional council workers Nathan Capper left and Reece Irving tying up bags. Photo/George Novak
The regional council reminded boaties not to clean their boats or gear with any aggressive chemicals as this could cause more contamination. Please contact your marina operator for advice. The Regional Council has provided pads, disposal bags and skips and protective gloves at the marina to help boaties keep their berths clean, the regional council stated.
People should stay away from oil wash-up areas. Oil slicks or oiled vessels should be reported to the Regional Council's Pollution Hotline, phone 0800 884 883, or email info@boprc.govt.nz.
Mobil has set up two 0800 numbers: for boat owners wanting advice - 0800 895 011. For boat owners wanting to make insurance claims to Mobil - 0800 692 524.
