Responding to Rena
In this activity, students consider short-term and long-term responses to an environmental disaster such as the Rena.
Rapid response to the Rena
Immediately following the grounding of the Rena on the Astrolabe Reef, the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and the University of Waikato formed a marine response team. This team surveyed local marine life before it was affected by oil. This was done so that later survey comparisons could be made to determine whether the oil had had an effect on marine life.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
describe what might happen (environmentally) in the event of a maritime disaster such as the Rena
explain some short-term and long-term responses that might help to limit environmental damage.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do.
Related content
Explore the range of content we have on the Rena disaster – start with this introductory article. There are links to articles looking at some of the research undertaken around the disaster, some of the underpinning science concepts, student activities and more.
The What now for the Rena? Connected article looks at the aftermath of the 2011 environmental disaster
Useful links
Note that the Rena Recovery Project was declared complete in July 2015.
The Rena Long-term Environmental Recovery Plan is an example of a government’s recovery plan following an environmental disaster.
View information on oils spills and the Rena oils spills on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council website teacher resources section.
