Agreement between the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Government of Solomon Islands concerning the administration of the special areas

The Parties, on the basis of the Treaty between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands concerning Sovereignty, Maritime and Seabed Boundaries between the two countries and co-operation on Related Matters, signed at Port Moresby on 25 January, 1989, regulate various activities in the Special Areas as defined by the Treaty and further defined in this Agreement. The Agreement defines the right of free movement for the traditional inhabitants to carry out traditional activities such as traditional hunting and fishing and other usage of waters. Where the traditional inhabitants of one Party enjoy traditional customary rights of access to and usage of land, seabed, sea, estuaries and coastal areas that are located within the limits of the Special Areas and are under the jurisdiction of the other Party and these rights are acknowledged by the traditional inhabitants living in or in proximity to those areas to be in accordance with local tradition, the other Party shall permit the continued exercise of those rights on conditions not less favourable than those applying to similar rights of its own traditional inhabitants. The Agreement further: (a) provides for consultation between the Parties on coordination of policies in accordance with international law on the protection and preservation of the living natural resources and marine environment of the Special Areas; (b) establishes a Joint Advisory Committee; and (c) provides rules relative to enforcement, dispute resolution, liason and custom arrangements.