The Great Barrier Reef, Will it be Great in Ten Years Time?

International Maritime Law applies to The Greater Barrier Reef, for a whole of twelve nautical miles as well as being managed by several government agencies including the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Maritime Safety Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
So where were these laws and government agencies when the Chinese coal carrier, Shen Neng I, ploughed its way through our Great Barrier Reef, causing damage to the Douglas Shoal? The carrier caused chaos to the equivalent of five football fields, destroying our corals and natural wildlife. As well as hitting a sandbar and causing damage to our precious reef, the Shen Neng I leaked three tonnes of oil into the water, a crime according to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act, 1975.
Although three men, allegedly the owners of the carrier, are facing multi-million dollar fines, there are groups that are concerned this is not enough. The Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, claims that the government is cracking down on the tracking of ships in the Great Barrier Reef. Any ship in the southern part of the reef will now regularly report their location and route to authorities as well as being satellite tracked.
Another problem is that these rules only apply to the northern section of the reef, as the majority is located outside Australian territory, where laws are difficult to implement.
So again, where are these government agencies that are meant to be protecting our infamous reef? Is there enough being done? We’d like to know what you think, express your thoughts and opinions by commenting below.