Tubbataha may be recognized as sensitive sea area

MANILA, Philippines - The Tubbataha Reef Natural Park could be recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as among the particularly sensitive sea areas (PSSA) in the world, a maritime law expert said.

In a recent workshop hosted by the Philippine Coast Guard, University of the Philippines Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea director Jay Batongbacal said the draft proposal to designate the Tubbataha Reef as a PSSA would be in the agenda of the 69th Meeting of the Marine Environmental Protection Committee of the IMO in March 2016.

A PSSA is a marine protected area recognized for its ecological, socioeconomic and scientific attributes that may be vulnerable to damage by international shipping activities.

Should Tubbataha Reef become a PSSA, the Philippines can adopt and enforce protective measures applicable to international shipping.

The Tubbataha Reef will also be the first PSSA in Asia and 14th in the world.

The workshop was attended by representatives from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, Philippine Ports Authority, Maritime Industry Authority and UP-IMLOS.