"An oil spill poses a risk or threat when the health and safety of the community are put at immediate and obvious risk. This was not the case at Pilot Bay last week."
Although the Liloa has been out of the country for a number of days, Mr Zaman said the investigation into the oil spill was ongoing.
"The focus was initially on the clean-up ... investigations such as this require a high level of detail and information and this is still being worked through."
He said the regional council was still unsure how much oil had been lost and wouldn't know for sure until the investigation was completed.
Buddy Mikaere, environmental consultant and co-ordinator of a number of hapu and iwi groups opposed to leaving the Rena wreck on Astrolabe Reef, said this experience showed how much care was needed with the handling of fuel.
Mr Mikaere said he would have expected wider publicity about the event and more people should have been involved.
The Bay of Plenty Times was unable to contact the owner of the ship.
