We have been very fortunate not to have suffered a similar fate so far. The prevailing winds and tidal currents have kept the oil from draping our beaches in its deadly blanket.
The MV Pacific Adventurer lost 31 containers of ammonium nitrate overboard in the heavy conditions during Cyclone Hamish, and one of the falling containers pierced the oil tank spilling up to 30 tonnes of oil into Moreton Bay that created an oil slick in its wake over ten kilometers long.
The coastline was inevitably affected from the Sunshine Coast to Moreton Island.
Marine experts have suggested that the main threats posed by the ammonium nitrate will include increased algal blooms and burns and death to both fish and seagrass as well as physical damage to the ocean floor from the containers themselves.
Environment groups have called for increased funding to the EPA and Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service for park protection and emergency response capacity and have praised the quick multi agency response in this case.
The clean up operation is in progress and the damage is being assessed. The Premier Anna Bligh has said that the Captain of the vessel will be held responsible and will be fined as a result of the spill.

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