NZ EPA authorises scuttling of fire-damaged trawler off Otago Harbour

The Environmental Protection Authority of New Zealand (EPA) has granted approval for the trawler Dong Won 701 to be disposed of in an authorised marine dumping area.

Dong Won 701 was operating out of Timaru before it was badly damaged by fire on April 9, 2018.

Owners DW New Zealand subsequently lodged an application with the EPA for a marine dumping consent so the vessel could be disposed of at sea. Permission has now been granted to dispose of the vessel in an approved marine dumping site 25 nautical miles south-east of Otago Harbour.

The five authorised marine dumping sites, for certain types of waste, are generally in deep water — 21 to 47 nautical miles out to sea — and away from major shipping lanes.