Most of the beach from Mount Maunganui to Maketu is due to reopen on Wednesday from 6am.

Maritime New Zealand national on scene commander Mick Courtnell says two sections of beach remain closed.

The first is from Harrison's Cut, going past the Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club to Alexandra Place and the second is the Maketu Spit.

These areas will be marked with tape and signs.

An oil clean-up team on Papamoa Beach. Photo: MNZ.

Closures of beach sections have been intermittent since oil began washing ashore in early October from the Rena container ship wreck on the Astrolabe Reef.

Mick says there is no longer any operational need, in terms of the use of heavy machinery, or risk of oil cross-contamination, to restrict public access to the beach.

Health concerns remain, however, with the consumption of seafood along the Western Bay of Plenty coast and an iwi initiated rahui is in place.
This prohibits the collection of kaimoana between Bowen Town and Maketu; shellfish, crayfish, crabs, kina and seaweed should not be collected and eaten until further notice.

While the beaches are mostly reopening, Mick says people need to be aware the environment has changed.

'The beaches are not the same as they were before Rena grounded.

'There are small amounts of oil buried in the sand, on some of the rocks and in some cases submerged in the water.

'Oil will continue to resurface with tidal movement and will be most evident after periods of rough or stormy weather.”

Sightings of oil should continue to be reported to 0800 OIL SPILL.

Mick says MNZ's oil spill response team will continue to assess, clean and re-clean the beaches for as long as is needed.

'This may involve sections of the beach being cordoned off at various times – these will be clearly marked and we ask that members of the public are patient as we continue to work through this process.”

MNZ has identified six areas of high recreational use through consultation with local authorities and beach users and these areas would be targeted for regular clean-ups.

This is intended to give the public a higher degree of confidence in using those sections of beach.

The six areas of high use are: Pilot Bay, Mount Maunganui Main Beach, Tay Street, Omanu, Papamoa East and Arataki.

The navigational safety exclusion zone remains in place and boat ramps within the exclusion boundaries, Papamoa East, Bell Road and Maketu, remain closed.

MNZ is advising against fishing and consumption of fish from recently contaminated beach areas.