The lead researcher looking into the impact of the Rena grounding supports a report that says kaimoana from around the Astrolabe Reef and Motiti Island is safe to eat.
The environmental study into the grounding, released on Tuesday morning, has shown the environment has still not returned to its pre-Rena state. But it also says there have been few long-lasting impacts.
The container ship Rena ran aground on the Astrolabe Reef off the coast of Tauranga on 5 October 2011, leaking more than 350 tonnes of oil into the ocean, coating beaches and wildlife.
Science professor Chris Battershill says his is confident seafood is safe to eat, even though there are traces of some toxins in the sea.
The north-eastern end of Motiti Island is an area which tends to catch the currents that bring debris and other materials from the Rena wreck, and his team of researchers is still noticing background levels of toxicity are still high over the rest of the island. However, levels around Motiti Island aren't dangerously high, he says.
Prof Battershill says he has sought advice from the local district health board, which confirms it is safe to collect kaimoana from the area.
