Executive Order concerning the establishment of sea lanes for the use of fishing vessels in proceeding to and from their fishing areas in the South Pacific Ocean, subject to certain conditions (No. 473 of 1991)

MALACANANG MANILA EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 473 ESTABLISHMENT OF SEA LANES FOR THE USE OF FISHING VESSELS IN PROCEEDING TO AND FROlVITHEIR FISHING AREAS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN, SUBJECT TO CER­ TAIN CONDITIONS. WHEREAS, international disputes have fre­ quently arisen involving foreign fishing ves­ sels and their crews found inside the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines, particularly those occurring in waters be­ tween the Bashi and Balintang channels and off' the Batanes Islands in the China Sea; WHEREAS, it is desirable that such disputes be avoided in the interest of the international relations of the Philippines: OCTOBER 7, 1991 OFFICIAL GAZETTE ~ 5769 Now, "THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, do hereby order: SECTION 1. Establishing of Sea Lanes. There are hereby established two (2) sea lanes to be used by foreign fishing vessels in proceeding to their fishing areas in the South Pacific Ocean (outbound) and in returning to their home ports (inbound) which are described as follows: (a) Outbound Sea Lane: Fishing vessels shall start at point A (at lat. 21 deg, 24 min. N and long 120 deg, - 55 min. E) sailing eastward to point B (at lat. 21 deg. - 24 min. Nand long 122 deg, - 05 min. E) turning SE to point C (at lat. 21 deg. -00 min. N and long 122 deg, - 26 min. E) and then proceeding to their destination at the South Pacific Ocean. Sea Lane from point A to C shall have a total width of 10 nautical miles. (b) Inbound Sea Lanes: Fishing vessels shall start at a point D (at lat. 19 deg. 00 min. N and long 122 deg. - 42 min. E) sailing NvV to point E (at lat. 19 deg, - 20 min. N and long 122 deg. - 27 min. E) thence bearing NNW to point F (at lat. 20 deg. - 08 min. N and long 122 deg, - 20 min. E) thence turning 'iN to point G (at lat. 20 deg, - 08 min. N and long 121 deg. - 27 min. E) to point A (at lat. 21 deg, - 24 min. N and 120 deg, - 55 min. N) and thence proceeding to their home ports. Width of Route from point D to E, E to F and G to A shall each have a total of 12 nautical miles while the width of the Route F to G shall have a 'total of 6 nautical miles. SEC. 2. Requirements for the tuse of Sea Lanes. All fishing vessels, us1ng the afore­ said sea lanes, shall be subject to Philip­ pine maritime, immigration and customs laws and regulations and to monitoring and in­ spection by the Philippine Navy and/or Coast Guard vessels and, moreover, shall: a. Provide prior notification to the Philip­ pine Coast Guard and/or to the Philippine Navy each time they use the designated sea lanes; b. Proceed without delay; c. Stow the fishing gear of the vessels and not perform any fishing activities; d. Refrain from the use of' force of any kind, or any other acts in violation of the principles of international law em­ bodied in the Charter of the United Nations; e. Refrain from any activities other than those incident to their normal modes of continuous and expeditious transit unless rendered necessary by force majeure or by distress ; f. Comply with generally accepted inter­ national regulations, procedures and prac­ tices for safety' at sea; g. Not pollute the sea lanes; and h. Not carry out research or survey ac­ tivities without the prior authorization of the Philippine Government. SEC. 3. Guidelines for fishing vessels to enter designated Ports. Such fishing ves­ sels may be authorized to enter designated ports of the Philippines for the purpose of obtaining supplies and services; repairing of vessels; and unloading, shipping' and trans-shipping of catches, provided that there are established in such ports certain infrastructures which will develop the afore­ said ports into a fishing base port, including improvements of harbor and mooring fac­ ilities ; construction of ice-makinz cold storage plants and relevant servi~~s,all investments in said infrastructure to be made consistent with Philippine investments laws and regulations. SEC. 4. Implementing Agency. The De­ partment of National Defense shall im­ plement the provisions of this Executive Order and monitor compliance with relevant Philippine laws and regulations. SEC. 5. EfJectivit,y Clause. This Execu­ tive Order shall take effect immediately. DONE in the City of Manila, this 5th day of August, in the year Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-one. (Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO [SEAL] President of the Philippines By the President: (Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON Executive Secretary