Maritime teams actively responding to a diesel and oil spill in Tauranga Harbour today have not yet been able to identify the source of the spill.

“We are investigating several potential sources,” says Bay of Plenty Duty Regional On-Scene Commander Matthew Harrex.

“Early this morning, our staff received several calls about oil on the water in Tauranga Harbour, north of Sulphur Point and around Waikorire Pilot Bay.

“Our maritime and compliance teams are responding to the incident.”

Bay of Plenty Regional Council maritime and compliance team bagging up oil and diesel following a spill in Tauranga Harbour on Monday morning. Photo: BOPRC.

Matthew says the initial assessment suggests that the spill is a mix of diesel and some heavier oil.

“We are undertaking oil removal by bagging any noticeably impacted sand along the shoreline at Pilot Bay and conducting on-water recovery near Stony Wharf.”

The maritime teams initially estimated they were dealing with less than 100 litres of diesel.

A Bay of Plenty Regional Council maritime and compliance team responding to a suspected diesel spill in Tauranga Harbour on Monday morning. Photo: BOPRC.

Matthew expects that the oil removal and on-water recovery will be completed Monday afternoon, but recognises that further checks will be needed on Tuesday.

“Our clean-up work continues today, and we will conduct a further check at first light,” says Matthew.

The council says while they believe most of the spill has either come ashore or dispersed, the beach will remain visibly oily for a couple of days.

The public is being asked to stay away from the area, particularly around Pilot Bay where the beach has been coned off by council staff.

“We ask the public to please stay away from the area for safety reasons.”

Before and after photos of the shoreline in Pilot Bay on Monday. Photos: BOPRC.