Responding to coastal environment incidents
Environment Canterbury media release: 29th October 2024
Whether it’s an oil spill, a pollution event, a marine biosecurity incursion or affected wildlife, you may be surprised to know that our coast and harbours team have a response capability to coastal marine incidents across the motu.
For many coastal communities, impacts from incidents can be unsettling and disruptive. By ensuring our response staff are engaged and trained, appropriate plans and processes are in place with equipment aptly located, we can be ready to respond when incidents occur.
Marine oil spill response in Canterbury
Each spill response varies in complexity, but early engagement is crucial to assess needs, set expectations, and make inclusive decisions with all stakeholders.
Under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 (MTA) all regional councils or unitary authorities have a responsibility to oversee oil transfer operations and to respond to marine oil spills.
Find out more about the Maritime Transport Act 1994.
Three tiers framework for a marine oil spill
There are three tiers to a marine oil spill response:
- Tier 1: The industry is responsible for preparing for and responding to oil spills
- Tier 2: Regional councils/unitary authorities are responsible to prepare for and respond
- Tier 3: Maritime NZ is responsible for preparing and responding.
Under these tiers, responsible operators and agencies are required to have an appropriate contingency plan in place that identifies priority areas, local sensitivities, available resources, communication plans and detailed processes for a safe and effective response.
Canterbury's marine response team
Our response team includes approximately 30 trained professionals and led by a qualified regional on-scene commander. They are prepared to respond to marine oil spills of any scale.
The team are responsible for planning for and responding to all kinds of events, to minimise environmental impacts on our precious coastal environment.
We maintain oil spill response equipment stockpiles across the region, including in Kaikōura, Lyttelton, Ōtautahi Christchurch, Akaroa, and Timaru.
Additionally, we conduct at least three practice exercises annually with first responders, partner agencies, stakeholders, and industry members.
Report an oil spill or a pollutant
If you do discover an oil spill or a pollutant that has the potential to impact our coastal environment, whether on the sea or land, please: