Rena disaster is already choked the fishing industry of the Bay of Plenty and the worst is till to come. While vessels are able to sail in and out of Tauranga Harbour, the exclusion zone around the shipwreck, the possibility of oil contamination and metal shipping containers drifting down the coast were threatening local operators.
Bay of Plenty Commercial Fisherman’s Association president Brian Kiddie said there was “a lot of worry” among his members. He added that crayfishermen were directly affected as they are unable to access equipment close to the wreck. He told that the exclusion zone [around the Rena] takes out the best part of the Bay of Plenty crayfishery at the moment.
Kiddie also informed that the 88 metal containers confirmed to have fallen from the deck of the Rena were also a real hazard for fishing boats. Containers were especially dangerous for the large number of crews that travel during the night. A longer term threat to the industry is the possibility the hundreds of tonnes of oil spilling from the Rena could contaminate fish and seafood populations.
SeaFood Industry Council said that the Bay of Plenty fishing and seafood exports were worth around $24 million in 2009. There are around 50 commercial fishing vessels operating out of Tauranga. Council CEO Peter Bodeker said that there are four fish processing factories operating out of Tauranga, so it’s a significant part of the industry. The Rena struck Astrolabe Reef, 20km off Tauranga, at full speed early last Wednesday and is leaking oil. Wildlife is dying and the area’s pristine white sand beaches are turning black with oil.
