Statement from Scott Gallacher, MPI Deputy Director-General
• The Ministry for Primary Industries can confirm that there were two MPI Observers (also known as "Government
Observers") on board the Amaltal Columbia, which has been abandoned today because of a fire.
• The two MPI Observers safely transferred to another fishing vessel and are well.
• MPI Observers are well-trained for such eventualities, and all signs indicate the evacuation was well-run.
• The two were met and assisted when they arrived at Lyttleton by other MPI staff.
ENDS