Protection of Great Barrier Reef to be stepped up

CARGO ships that enter restricted waters of the Great Barrier Reef will face the full force of Australian law, the prime minister said yesterday, after a vessel ran aground near the natural wonder and leaked fuel oil.

Salvage crews are still working to remove 1,000 tons of heavy fuel oil from the Shen Neng 1, which slammed into a shoal more than a week ago after veering into protected waters.

In a sign authorities are serious about stepping up protection of the fragile reef, police arrested three men yesterday from another boat that allegedly entered a restricted part of the reef.