Council calling for oil reports

Oil spill clean-up crews led by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council are continuing their work to clean-up oil at Bridge Marina, the port wharf and Pilot Bay today.

Regional On-Scene Commander Adrian Heays said he expects that wind and tidal currents will have moved some oiled debris and vegetation around the harbour, so shoreline checks are continuing throughout the weekend.

“Local people can help by calling our pollution hotline on 0800 884 883 if they see any oil spots or oiled debris while they’re out and about over the weekend. We can then get trained staff on-site quickly to collect it safely before the tide washes it away again,” he said.

Some spots of weathered oil and oiled debris have also been confirmed in the Panepane Point area of Matakana Island. Local iwi are cleaning up there with assistance from Regional Council contractors.

The public have been asked to avoid contact with oiled material and stay away from oil wash-up areas. Any oiled wildlife found should be reported to DOC 0800 362 468 (0800 DOC HOT).

Boat owners are reminded not to clean their boats or gear with any aggressive chemicals as this may cause more contamination. Please contact your marina operator for advice. Mobil has set up two 0800 numbers:

• For boat owners wanting advice about cleaning etc. 0800 895 011.

• For boat owners wanting to make insurance claims to Mobil – 0800 692 524.

Images are available at www.boprc.govt.nz/taurangaoilspill

Additional Information:

What to look for

There are two possible oily sheens people may see – natural or one caused by a spill. We’ve included descriptions below, but if you’re still unsure, call the Pollution Hotline phone 0800 884 883 so it can be checked.

Natural Sheens

A natural sheen is caused by a breakdown of organic material and will often look ‘platey’. So if you poke a stick in it, it will break up into plates, which won’t come back together nicely.

Natural sheens are most commonly seen in wetlands or swampy, muddy areas.

Oil sheen

Could look blue/grey and/or have a rainbow sheen to it.

If you pass a stick through it the sheen will appear to flow and move – it will stay together and not break up.

It will smell like oil or fuel.

Clean-up crew scrubbing rocks at Bridge Marina

ENDS

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