The Marine Environment Protection Committee,
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Marine Environment Protection Committee - Resolution MEPC.133(53) - Designation of the Torres Strait as an Extension of the Great Barrier Reef Particularly Sensitive Sea Area - (Adopted on 22 July 2005) - The Marine Environment Protection Committee,

The Marine Environment Protection Committee,

 BEING AWARE of the ecological, social, economic, cultural, scientific and educational value of the Torres Strait, as well as its vulnerability to damage by shipping traffic and activities in the area and the steps taken by Australia and Papua New Guinea to address that vulnerability,

 NOTING that the Guidelines for the Identification and Designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas adopted under resolution A.927(22) set out procedures for the designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas,

 HAVING CONSIDERED the proposal from Australia and Papua New Guinea to extend the existing Great Barrier Reef Particularly Sensitive Sea Area to include the Torres Strait,

 HAVING AGREED that criteria for identification of a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area provided in resolution A.927(22) are fulfilled for the Torres Strait,

  1. DESIGNATES the Torres Strait, as defined in Annex 1 to this resolution, as an extension of the Great Barrier Reef Particularly Sensitive Sea Area;

  2. RECOGNIZES the establishment of a two-way route through the Torres Strait as defined in Annex 2 to this resolution;

  3. RECOMMENDS that Governments recognize the need for effective protection of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait region and inform ships flying their flag that they should act in accordance with Australia's system of pilotage for merchant ships 70 m in length and over or oil tankers, chemical tankers, and gas carriers, irrespective of size when navigating:

  • (a) the inner route of the Great Barrier Reef between the northern extreme of Cape York Peninsula (10° 41' S) and 16° 40' S and in Hydrographers Passage; and

  • (b) the Torres Strait and the Great North East Channel between Booby Island (latitude 10° 36' S, longitude 141° 54' E) and Bramble Cay (latitude 09° 09' S, longitude 143° 53' E).

  4. REVOKES resolution MEPC.45(30).

Parent topic: Resolution MEPC.133(53) - Designation of the Torres Strait as an Extension of the Great Barrier Reef Particularly Sensitive Sea Area - (Adopted on 22 July 2005)
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