NZ: Urgently send an oil cleanup team to Sāmoa to clean up Manawanui spill

Sāmoa's Marine Pollution Advisory Committee (MPAC) has confirmed that the HMNZS Manawanui has leaked 200,000 litres of oil. 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. Samoan local Jay Ah Schuster says “I know we get a lot of assistance from New Zealand and that, but that doesn’t mean you can’t say sorry for killing our corals, killing our fish, endangering our marine life." The cleanup team also needs to investigate lifting the vessel and removing it from the marine reserve once decontaminated.

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