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.

“If we have any foreign vessel or any vessel violating the proper protection of the Great Barrier Reef, they should have the book thrown at them,” Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said.

Coral shredded one part of the Chinese ship, and three or four tons of oil leaked from a ruptured fuel tank. That oil was dispersed by chemical sprays and is believed to have caused little or no damage.

Officials must remove the remaining oil in order to safely refloat the ship and prevent any further spillage.

Transport minister Anthony Albanese took an aerial view of the site and said a decision on refloating the ship could be made today.

He echoed the prime minister’s anger at the accident near the world’s largest coral reef.