AUCKLAND: Bay of Plenty residents have received a public health warning to not eat seafood from the waters surrounding the oil leaking vessel Rena. Collections from the area surrounding Motiti Island should be avoided, including shellfish and fin fish found in waters of visible oil contamination says, Medical Officer of Health Jim Miller. Millar warned that seafood with an off, or petrol-like, smell, should by all means be avoided. Until further notice this warning will remain even though there is no evidence, as of yet, that the oil spill has reached the coastline, however these precautionary measures are necessary as the situation is continuously changing, the government said. Reports say that around 20 tons of oil has leaked from Rena. Recovery teams have begun the clean-up operation with the help of many who have come from abroad, including an Australian team who worked on the Montara oil spill in 2009. National On Scene Commander, Rob Service, said “The removal of fuel from the ship remains the top priority. Pollutants on board the vessel including paint, grease, hydraulic oils and lubricants are being hand-carried off the vessel onto a small support vessel.” Two ocean-going barges and two naval vessels carrying specialist equipment and trained oil spill responders are on there way to the recovery response teams. The parent company of Rena's owners Daina Shipping Co., Costamare Inc have released a statement saying the ship's hull stresses are within allowable limits and there's no deterioration of the ship's condition. Wildlife rescue teams continue to scour the coastline for affected wildlife. The total of oil covered birds has reached 8 after the discovery of another blue penguin on Sunday. There has been wide criticism regarding the amount of time taken for recovery to begin as well as the need to seek Australian help. Green Party oceans spokesman, Gareth Hughes said, “We have to put a moratorium on even testing oil wells in New Zealand waters until we can prove that our oil spill response plans are adequate.” Residents of the Bay of Plenty have expressed their outrage at the lack of urgency in the response. Brett Keller of Tauranga Marine Charters says, “From what I've seen so far they're woefully under-prepared. People here are getting more annoyed by the day by the lack of action. It's been four days now and still nothing.” BM
