Initial reports in early December 2014 from the area around Astrolab Reef where the M/V Rena ran aground in 2011 indicated there was oil leaking from the wreck. Salvage operators expected some discharge during the recovery process. Later reports indicated that there were krill swarms in the area.
One eye witness suggested that the oil was coming from machinery still on board the wreck. Others noted that the oil was pooling, not remaining in one big slick. All reports noted that the quantities were small and dissipated quickly.
Very soon after this information was made public a representative of Maritime New Zealand reported that the brown, blotchy patches were krill swarms. This is very good news. Krill is an important food source for many types of marine life such as whales, seals, birds and fish. Krill migrate vertically, moving from the depths to the surface at night.
In November, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council provided a report recommending that the owners of the Rena not be required to conduct a full removal of the vessel, citing health, safety and environmental concerns. The salvors will still be required to conduct further cleanup of the site, largely to remove more sections of the wreck and some copper contaminants of concern.
Environmental monitoring of the area will continue as well. More information about the M/V Rena grounding and its impacts on wildlife are found in this incident summary.
Resources:
The Rena Project. Accessed online 16.12.2014
Rena leaking ‘big blotches’ of oil. Bay of Plenty Times Accessed online 15.12.2014
‘Oil spill’ confirmed as krill. Sunlive news.Accessed online 15.12.2014