On the evening of Tuesday 14 January, one of Moana New Zealand’s contract Danish seine vessels took on water and sank near Moturekareka Island. The lives and safety of our contract fishers were our highest priority, and we are thankful they did not sustain any injuries and were retrieved and returned home to their families.
After the rescue, we understand the skipper’s immediate priorities were to cooperate with regulatory agencies and to salvage the sunken vessel, with support from various organisations to mitigate fuel and diesel leaks and the recovery of debris and fish in and around the area of the vessel. In the process of refloating the vessel, it is unfortunate that some fish that was secured within the vessel was accidentally released into the sea.
Moana New Zealand is committed to ongoing cleanup efforts and have sponsored Sea Cleaners, a non-profit organisation with expertise in coastline cleaning and removal of debris. We remain vigilant with an ongoing recovery and cleanup plan over the coming weeks understanding that the tide, at times, will carry some debris and dead fish out and back onto the coastline.
The skipper and Moana New Zealand continue to cooperate with all involved in the investigation into this incident.
ENDS
Send media enquiries to:
May Tien, Communications Manager
m 027 880 4522
may.tien@moana.co.nz