Tauranga oil spill response
Rena with the stern section fallen off the reef while the bow remains in place.
WWF's Bay of Plenty appeal
WWF-New Zealand is currently raising money for our Bay of Plenty community conservation fund, in response to the Rena disaster.
Thank you
Thanks to the generosity of WWF-New Zealand supporters, $30,000 has been raised to assist community conservation efforts in the affected region. WWF-New Zealand, in partnership with The Tindall Foundation, has matched this amount by contributing another $30,000.
The fund will support research and monitoring of wildlife impacted by the Rena disaster, and ecological restoration and rehabilitation of important habitat, such as beaches, sand dunes and estuaries.
The exact criteria for the fund are being determined by an Advisory Panel and will be announced by mid March 2012.
WWF-New Zealand and The Tindall Foundation are proud to be able to assist the vital work of Bay of Plenty community conservation groups to help our precious coastal and marine wildlife, and their habitats, recover from this tragedy and thrive.
How do I know I’m supporting WWF?
WWF supporters around New Zealand may receive a telemarketing phone call from us on this issue. Only people who have previously supported us should receive a call.
1) You can choose to donate to WWF’s Bay of Plenty community conservation fund to help local communities restore habitats and wildlife species affected by the oil spill, which will be allocated once immediate clean-up efforts are over and their specific needs become clear.
2) You can also choose to donate to help support WWF’s ongoing campaign for greater protection of New Zealand’s marine species and environment, including measures to prevent oil spills and keep other risky activities well away from places that are important to people and wildlife.
The donation line is 0900 WWF XX or 0900 993 XX (where XX is the value of the donation). This is an entirely secure system.
Still not sure? Please call us on 0800 4357 993 if you want to verify that an approach from a WWF representative is legitimate.
1) You can choose to donate to WWF’s Bay of Plenty community conservation fund to help local communities restore habitats and wildlife species affected by the oil spill, which will be allocated once immediate clean-up efforts are over and their specific needs become clear.
2) You can also choose to donate to help support WWF’s ongoing campaign for greater protection of New Zealand’s marine species and environment, including measures to prevent oil spills and keep other risky activities well away from places that are important to people and wildlife.
The donation line is 0900 WWF XX or 0900 993 XX (where XX is the value of the donation). This is an entirely secure system.
Still not sure? Please call us on 0800 4357 993 if you want to verify that an approach from a WWF representative is legitimate.
Grounded container ship Rena losing containers as heavy swells wash her deck on the starboard side. Tauranga, NZ
Bay of Plenty oil spill - updated 10 January
The container ship Rena grounded on Astrolabe Reef on 5 Oct 2011 has now split in two. Maritime New Zealand reports today that the stern is submerged, whilst the bow remains wedged on Astrolabe Reef.
Over 350 tonnes of heavy fuel oil have spilled into the sea since the ship ploughed into the reef 3 months ago. The majority of the oil on board the vessel has been removed, however some oil remains in the duct keel which is continuing to leak into the ocean. In total, over 200 containers are estimated to have been lost overboard, several washing up on local beaches.
Following the most recent releases of oil, six little blue penguins were recovered, three of which were oiled. Maritime New Zealand reports that the Oiled Wildlife Recovery Unit in Tauranga has been reactivated.
To date, over two thousand dead seabirds have been found, however the true number of birds and other wildlife killed by the oil spill will be much higher, the majority becoming oiled and dying at sea. WWF remains deeply concerned for the wildlife affected, the impacts on breeding for some species, and the long term environmental impacts.
As part of our initial response, WWF marine staff joined the National Oiled Wildlife Recovery Team, coordinated by Maritime New Zealand, to assist with the rescue and clean up efforts and to assess the environmental impacts.
The team collected and treated hundreds of live oiled birds in special wildlife recovery centres, including little blue penguins, shags, fluttering shearwaters, petrels, gannets and terns. On 22 November, the first of the little blue penguins were release into the wild, since then the majority of wildlife recovered have also been assessed by wildlife experts and judged fit for release.
In the coming weeks and months, WWF will engage with the authorities and with community-led conservation groups in the Bay of Plenty to identify and support their environmental rehabilitation and restoration needs.
We are very grateful to everyone who has donated to WWF's oil spill response appeal in helping support our efforts to respond to the spill, to fund restoration of habitats in this area, and to campaign to protect New Zealand's oceans from future spills.
Following the most recent releases of oil, six little blue penguins were recovered, three of which were oiled. Maritime New Zealand reports that the Oiled Wildlife Recovery Unit in Tauranga has been reactivated.
To date, over two thousand dead seabirds have been found, however the true number of birds and other wildlife killed by the oil spill will be much higher, the majority becoming oiled and dying at sea. WWF remains deeply concerned for the wildlife affected, the impacts on breeding for some species, and the long term environmental impacts.
As part of our initial response, WWF marine staff joined the National Oiled Wildlife Recovery Team, coordinated by Maritime New Zealand, to assist with the rescue and clean up efforts and to assess the environmental impacts.
The team collected and treated hundreds of live oiled birds in special wildlife recovery centres, including little blue penguins, shags, fluttering shearwaters, petrels, gannets and terns. On 22 November, the first of the little blue penguins were release into the wild, since then the majority of wildlife recovered have also been assessed by wildlife experts and judged fit for release.
In the coming weeks and months, WWF will engage with the authorities and with community-led conservation groups in the Bay of Plenty to identify and support their environmental rehabilitation and restoration needs.
We are very grateful to everyone who has donated to WWF's oil spill response appeal in helping support our efforts to respond to the spill, to fund restoration of habitats in this area, and to campaign to protect New Zealand's oceans from future spills.
Little blue penguins released - watch the film clip
The first of the little blue penguins affected by the oil spill were released on 22 November, at Mount Maunganui.
Our videographer Amy Taylor was there - click here or click the photo to watch the film on youtube.
Our videographer Amy Taylor was there - click here or click the photo to watch the film on youtube.
Thank you to all who have donated to WWF's oil spill response appeal.
Thank you to all those who helped WWF respond to the oil spill, to restore and protect marine wildlife and their homes. If you would like to make a donation, please click here.
Rescuing oiled birds
WWF staff are part of a huge effort to collect oiled birds off the beaches.
Read Victoria's blog about her day helping rescue and recover penguins.
Read Victoria's blog about her day helping rescue and recover penguins.
Clean-up crews hard at work patrolling and cleaning the shores of Tauranga.
How you can help
The following toll-free numbers have been set up to help you get up-to-date information about oil on beaches, wildlife and volunteering.
Oil sightings - 0800 645 774
Oiled wildlife - 0800 333 771
To volunteer - 0800 645 774
Oil sightings - 0800 645 774
Oiled wildlife - 0800 333 771
To volunteer - 0800 645 774