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National Seas Act 1977.

Country/Territory
Papua New Guinea
Document type
Legislation
Date
1977 (2006)
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Long title
Being an Act to describe and provide for the demarcation of (a) the territorial sea; and (b) the internal waters; and (c) the offshore seas; and (d) the archipelagic waters, for the purpose of asserting the rights of the State in relation to those areas.
Subject
Sea
Keyword
Maritime zone Territorial sea EEZ-Exclusive Economic Zone Sovereignty
Geographical area
Asia and the Pacific, Melanesia, Oceania, Small Island Developing States, South Pacific
Abstract

The Act provides for the description and demarcation of: (a) the territorial sea; (b) the Internal Waters; (c) Offshore Seas; (d) Archipelagic Waters. Schedule 1 provides for principles for ascertaining baselines. As a general principle, in respect of each part of the coast the baseline follows the low water line. Where the distance between the low water line on each natural entrance point of a bay: (a) does not exceed 24 miles, the baseline follows a straight line between those points; or (b) exceeds 24 miles, the baseline follows a straight line of 24 miles length within the bay positioned so as to enclose the maximum area of water. Where a low water elevation is wholly or in part within 12 miles of the coast the baseline follows the low water line of the elevation. In respect of a river mouth the baseline follows a straight line across the river mouth between the points on the low water line of each bank. For purposes of section 2 (description of the territorial sea) the location of a baseline or a part of a baseline may be determined by the Head of State, by Notice in the Official Gazette (sect. 3). Where no determination has been made under section 3, then the baseline shall be ascertained in accordance with Schedule 1. Subject to delimitation of boundaries in relation with neighbouring states, the offshore seas of the State: (a) extend to a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baselines; and (b) unless otherwise specified, shall be deemed to comprise all waters outside the baselines and within a line proclaimed for the purpose of this section by the Head of State, acting on advice, in the National Gazette" (sect. 6). Archipelagic waters are describes in section 7. Schedule 2 provides for an interim delimitation of Archipelagic Waters.

Full text
English
Website
www.paclii.org

References - Legislation

Implemented by

Offshore Seas Proclamation 1978.

Legislation | Papua New Guinea | 1978 (2006)

Keyword: Maritime zone, EEZ-Exclusive Economic Zone, Sovereignty

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Declaration of the baselines by method of coordinates of base points for purposes of the location of archipelagic baselines.

Legislation | Papua New Guinea | 2002

Keyword: Maritime zone, Territorial sea, Sovereignty

Source: FAO, FAOLEX