Rena Recovery Newsletter Issue 2.

It has been a busy couple of months for us with more work swinging into action.
In this update, we have news on how we’re working with iwi, promising results from post-spill shellfish testing and details on the operations at the wreck site and the recovery of containers.
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Local iwi meet to talk recovery
Iwi from across the Bay of Plenty have come together to be a part of the recovery process and ensure that there is national learning from this event.

Iwi from across the Bay of Plenty have come together to be a part of the recovery process and ensure that there is national learning from this event.
The Te Moana a Toi Iwi Leaders Forum was established during the response phase of the Rena grounding as a way for iwi leaders to receive full updates to share with their iwi and hapū. The Forum is now focussed on supporting the implementation of the Long-Term Environmental Recovery Plan.
Te Moana a Toi Iwi Leaders Forum represents the interests of more than 16 iwi whose tribal waters, fisheries assets and people have been affected by the Rena grounding.
Rena Recovery Iwi Liaison Coordinator Jack Thatcher said that this is the first instance where Bay of Plenty iwi have come together in this way.
“While this has been a tough time for us all, it is positive to see that the collaboration of iwi is something good that has come out of the Rena grounding. We now have a structure in place to work together on issues that are important to us all,” he said.
Te Moana a Toi Iwi Leaders Forum, Mōtītī Maketū (Te Arawa) and East Coast iwi are members of the Rena Recovery Governance Group.
To find out more about Te Moana a Toi iwi Leaders Forum email Jack.Thatcher@boprc.govt.nz

Braemar Howells clean-up operations
Environmental clean-up company Braemar Howells has ramped up operations to carry out extra duties at the Rena wreck site.

Environmental clean-up company Braemar Howells has ramped up operations to carry out extra duties at the Rena wreck site.
Since the Rena ran aground, Braemar’s focus has been retrieving containers outside the exclusion zone, handling distressed cargo and recovering any debris from the shoreline.
The Rena owners have been closely monitoring the recovery operations and recently assigned Braemar to oversee the safety and security of the wreck and to monitor its status. The Braemar team will also work to minimise and clear away any debris that may escape the vessel as a result of bad weather.
Braemar is continuing to be supported by Unimar, a New Zealand specialist marine support company. Tugs, barges, and fast response craft – all with well-tested response plans – are all part of the clean-up operations.
Recently Braemar/Unimar team has begun working on underwater container recovery. Lifting containers from the seabed is part of an extensive operation that has involved sonar surveys, checks by the Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV) and then by divers rigging the container wreckage ready for recovery.
For any questions on Braemar Howells clean-up operations call 0800 333 771.

Testing shellfish
Results from the sampling of Bay of Plenty shellfish following the Rena grounding are encouraging.

From the data collected, the results show the level of toxins declined quickly following the oil spills in October 2011.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council, along with the Te Mauri Moana Tertiary Partnership, has been sampling shellfish since the Rena grounded and tracking the levels of toxins found.

The samples are tested for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

High levels of PAHs can be found in automobile exhaust, industrial emissions, smoke from burning wood, charcoal, tobacco and heavy
fuel oil.
High levels of PAH toxins can affect marine species in the environment.
The long-term investigations currently underway will provide a more conclusive overview of the impact of Rena oil on the environment and how levels of PAH have impacted on shellfish.
All levels of PAH found in shellfish samples in the Bay of Plenty have been below human health risk levels.
Click here to view the monitoring results >>

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