Residents revolted by reek of rotting krill

Neighbours were asking questions yesterday about pungent sulphur-like smells that continued to emanate from a rotting blanket of white krill at the Andersons Bay Inlet.

A reporter who visited the area yesterday found the smell, at times, extremely strong and almost overpowering.

One neighbour, who has lived in Marne St for more than 30 years, said the smell was the most severe he could recall in the area.

''It's terrible - it's got worse.''

He had installed double glazing much earlier for other reasons, but it also helped shut out the smell from the inside of his house. Windows and doors had to be kept shut, he said.

Asked if authorities could do more to help, he said the rotting of krill was a natural process, which might have to run its course.

''It's just nature - that's how I look at it.''

The smell had been noticeable since a mass of millions of krill had appeared at a beach in the inlet late last week, he said.

Approached for comment, Otago Regional Council director engineering hazards and science Dr Gavin Palmer said the occurrence of krill on beaches was ''a naturally occurring phenomenon''.

As such, this was ''not something that ORC would manage or remediate''.

''We appreciate that large amounts of krill can create an odour that can be unpleasant to those residents living in the vicinity but unfortunately there's not much that can be done,'' Dr Palmer said.'

Another neighbour, Clare Jenkins, has lived in Marne St for the past two months, and earlier lived there for 11 years.

She said there could be some bad smells coming from the inlet from time to time ''but this is diabolical''.

''The worst part of it is the smell, and not wanting to go out,'' she said.

She wanted the ORC to provide clear information about the cause of the smell, any risks posed by it and potential options to reduce it.

''I just wonder if it's any danger to health,'' she said.

It ''would be nice'' to have more information, and she would appreciate if remedial action could be taken by the council, she said.

She did not walk near the inlet because of the smell, and ''I'm not even driving down that way''.

Another neighbour said the smell was particularly bad outside her house, and she wanted the regional council to provide more information and take any remedial action to help reduce the problem.