Taranaki spill continues to be monitored

Horizons Regional Council has increased its monitoring along the Region’s western coastline following an oil spill off the Taranaki coast on Friday 20 February.

The monitoring is in response to modeling of the spill’s trajectory which shows the spill has moved in a southerly direction and is currently heading towards Himatangi and Foxton beach areas.

Horizons manager emergency management and regional on-scene commander Ian Lowe says increased monitoring is a precautionary measure as the likelihood of oil washing up on the Region’s beaches is very slim. However, the Council does have a team of trained responders on hand should any oil reach its shores.

“The spill occurred just under two weeks ago and was relatively small, as it has travelled down the Taranaki coastline it has continued to break up so it is very unlikely any beaches will be impacted as a result,” Mr Lowe says.

“If oil does reach our shores it will be in the form of small tar balls rather than as an oil slick. We encourage anyone who thinks they may have seen these balls to report their sightings via our pollution hotline so teams can carry out any required clean-up.”

Horizons’ territory extends 12 nautical miles out to sea and the Council is required by law to have a team trained and ready to respond to marine oil spill emergencies.

This team practices its response twice a year, providing an opportunity to test equipment and refine its approach. Maritime New Zealand provides the equipment and funds the training so there is no direct cost to the regional ratepayer.

The contact number to report any oil sightings in the Horizons Region is toll free 0508 800 800. This phone line operates 24 hours for people to report pollution incidents.

ENDS

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