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To: Defence Minister Judith Collins
NZ: Urgently send an oil cleanup team to Sāmoa to clean up Manawanui spill
We are calling on Defence Minister Judith Collins to urgently task the NZDF with deploying immediately a cleanup team to Sāmoa, to plug any leaks and remove all oil (estimated at close to 1000 tonnes of light diesel fuel) and other contaminants from the vessel.
Why is this important?
Sāmoa's Marine Pollution Advisory Committee (MPAC) has confirmed that the HMNZS Manawanui is leaking “residual oil” from three locations of the stricken naval ship. Chief of NZ Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding says that "There is obviously fuel coming out of the Manawanui" but currently has no plans to send in their 30-person cleanup team, which remains on standby. The ship was carrying 950 tonnes of light diesel oil.
Anger and frustration is growing in Sāmoa, with locals fearing for their livelihoods and food sources. Village high chief Tuia Pepae Pua says local fishermen are already selling fish coated in oil, with locals reporting sickness after eating contaminated fish.