The photo of sea lettuce that accompanies Mark Pethrick's last week's letter reminds me of another photo - that of me draped in it published Friday, Dec 11, 2009. And yes, nothing has changed.
A large fertiliser factory on the edge of the harbour is still allowed to self-monitor and discharge into the harbour suspended solids, dissolved reactive phosphorous, ammoniacal nitrogen, fluoride, wastewater and an anti-fouling agent, octodecylamine. What effect is this discharge having upon the harbour and the sea lettuce growth, if any? Nobody knows. And nobody knows what is causing the sea lettuce growth.
I read with cynical amusement your regular contributors from TCC, the RC, the Green Party, the National Party, and an ex EBOP councillor who all studiously ignore this pressing problem. It's as if somebody farted in a crowded room and everyone is pretending it hasn't happened.
Hylton Rhodes,

Tauranga HarbourWatch Inc.