Call for harsher punishment after ship crosses Great Barrier Reef

ABC News - 

An Australian politician says the punishment for two mariners who steered a foreign ship into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is too lenient.

Two men from Hong Kong yesterday pleaded guilty in the Gladstone Magistrates Court for entering a restricted zone and were fined $US53,000.

The Member for Keppel in Central Queensland, Paul Hoolihan, says the fine is too low and won't act as a deterrent.

"Lets deal with these people who treat our Barrier reef, let's punish them to the full degree," he said.

"Any penalty that's imposed has to have a deterrent effect to stop people from taking chances with the environment of Australia."

Last year, the Reef was damaged when the bulk carrier - the Shen Neng 1 - ran aground after veering off course.

Two of its crewmen were charged.

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