Sabotage suspected behind slick in tourism jewel

By ANNE BESTON, environment reporter

Environmental saboteurs are suspected of striking at one of New Zealand's most important tourist destinations.

A police investigation has been launched after about 13,000 litres of diesel fuel from a scenic charter boat spilled into Milford Sound's Freshwater Basin, creating a 2km slick close to a marine reserve.

Pollution teams were last night waiting until early this morning to decide whether to reopen the sound to the thousands of tourists who flock to the area every day.

After the spill was discovered early yesterday the sound was effectively closed, and more than 2000 tourists hoping to cruise the deepwater fiord had to turn back to Queenstown.

Last night, a 20-strong oil response team was working with floating booms, absorbent pads and tanks to try to contain the spill.

Department of Conservation staff were checking the area's unique wildlife. At risk are the world's rarest species of penguin, the Fiordland Crested, and white herons, dolphins, seals, shags and ducks.

The company which owns the boat involved in the spill, Milford-based Real Journeys, believed the spill was an act of sabotage.

"It's been extremely upsetting - in fact, staff feel gutted," said chief executive Dave Hawkey. "This has cost us a lot of money but our priority is to protect the environment in the sound."

Mr Hawkey said a chef arrived at the 420-seat cruiser Milford Monarch about 6am to find a high-pressure hose had been shoved into the vessel's fuel tank, causing the fuel to seep into Milford Sound's famously clear water.

Mr Hawkey said he had no idea who was responsible and said he could not believe anyone would deliberately harm such a beautiful place.

There was a "good degree of co-operation" between rival operators in the sounds, he said. "Competition is left to the marketplace. Milford is a tight community and people have to get on with each other.

"This sort of behaviour is just despicable. Why would anyone want to do this in such a beautiful place?"

Security has increased around the company's boats and it will decide today on any other action.

Regional council Environment Southland, the Maritime Safety Authority and DoC are co-ordinating the clean-up effort.

No wildlife deaths had been reported by last night.

Conservation Minister Chris Carter said it was hard to imagine the spill was accidental.

"Whether it's a rival company, a disgruntled employee or just someone being stupid, we simply don't know," he said.

Environment Southland spokeswoman Nicky Waghorn said people had been going out in boats all day yesterday to scare wildlife away from the diesel slick.

Oil response leader Warren Tuckey said most of the diesel was expected to disperse within 24 hours but some would remain trapped in pockets of sheltered shoreline.

While the amount spilled was significant, it was likely to have a short-term aesthetic effect rather than a long-term environmental one.

Unlike oil, diesel evaporates in the open.

Constable Fraser Jackson of Te Anau said an investigation had been launched but police had no leads.

Mr Jackson said he had spoken to a number of people yesterday but still wanted to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity.

Destination Fiordland manager Lisa Sadler said the spill would reflect badly on Milford's image.

"This is a very serious event - it's a definite concern, but it's also frustrating," she said. The spill had not been caused by any company or any person making their livelihood from the area.

Companies such as Real Journeys, which owns the Milford Monarch, went out of their way to act responsibly towards the environment, Ms Sadler said.

"Now, because one individual has done something very silly, Milford's image is harmed and everyone will be feeling the effects."

Tourism operators could not take boats on the water at the height of the season, Ms Sadler said. "A day's loss at this time of year is substantial."

Destination Fiordland would do what it could to minimise the impact of the spill on tourist markets. Its main job would be to emphasise to tourists it was a one-off incident.

"We're making sure information centres have the correct details of what happened.

"Once word of what's happened gets out, I'd be anticipating inquiries from everywhere.

"Our role is to make sure people get the correct information rather than Chinese whispers."

Fiordland Wilderness Experiences operator Bill Gibson, of Te Anau, said his company had to cancel kayaking in the basin.

Sixteen tourists, most of them from overseas, were affected.

They were given the option of a short trip in Deepwater Basin as an alternative, or a full refund of the $115 fee.

The effect on his company would depend on how long it took to clean up the spill, Mr Gibson said.

"It's not worth paddling around in the remnants of a diesel spill - the last thing we need is for thousands of dollars of paddling equipment to be damaged."

The area's reputation was at stake because of the spill, he said.

"Milford is one of the destinations to come to - I'm more concerned about the longer-term ramifications for Fiordland because of this than the loss of a few trips."

- Additional reporting: NZPA