Three companies have been fined a total of $30,000 after oil was spilled from a fishing vessel in Timaru harbour.
An estimated 171 litres was discharged from the Pacinui in January.
Imposing the fine in the Christchurch District Court, Judge Paul Keller noted the spill would not have occurred if the correct procedures had been followed.
Because it was light fuel oil, Canterbury Regional Council says the spillage was not as bad as it could have been.
The Pacinui was owned by PPMH Korea, chartered and managed by Juham Industries and sub-chartered by Sanford.
Regional council resource management director, Kim Drummond says the fine sends a message to ship owners and charterers that they need to have the right systems.
