Minimal damage caused by diesel spill

A diesel spill from a mussel barge that sank in the Coromandel Harbour today will have minimal impact on marine life, Environment Waikato has said.

The barge sank near Te Kouma boat ramp this morning, spilling around 500 litres of diesel into the harbour.

It was successfully re-floated this afternoon with no further spillage.

"The slick was very small in terms of oil spills and is now hardly visible from the air," Environment Waikato emergency management officer Jan Hania said.

"The diesel slick is now heading out to sea and Environment Waikato scientists believe it will have minimal impact on marine life and the environment."

Ms Hania said the council had now stood down its emergency response team, but would continue to monitor the area over the next few days.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the sinking were continuing.

- NZPA