Maritime staff at Bay of Plenty Regional Council called to investigate a report of diesel sheen and odour near the Tauranga Bridge Marina have discovered that diesel has been discharged from a vessel into the Tauranga Harbour.

'Yesterday afternoon around 2pm Regional Council was notified of diesel sheen and odour coming from the Tauranga Bridge Marina,” says a Bay of Plenty Regional Council spokesperson.

'When our Maritime staff attended the scene the diesel had been traced to a vessel's bilge and the leak had been stopped.”

The Maritime team say that it appears the diesel was dispersed over a period of hours and therefore was not immediately apparent.

'Diesel typically evaporates from the water within 48 hours and as it had already started to dissipate when staff arrived there was not enough volume to collect and remove.”

The staff are confirming the volume of the discharge with the vessel's owner and marina staff. At this stage the council is not aware of any impacts on wildlife.

'We encourage anyone who notices a diesel sheen or odour or impacted wildlife to phone our 24/7 Pollution Hotline on 0800 884 883,” says a council spokesperson.

'Our Maritime staff are on-site monitoring the situation.”