Code of the Federated States of Micronesia

TITLE 18

TERRITORY, ECONOMIC ZONES, AND PORTS OF ENTRY

CHAPTER 1

Territorial Boundaries and Economic Zones

Sections:

§ 101. Baseline system defined.
§ 102. Territorial Sea and internal waters-Defined.
§ 103. Territorial Sea and internal waters-Sovereignty.
§ 104. Exclusive economic zone-Defined.
§ 105. Exclusive economic zone-Regulation.
§ 106. Submerged reefs.
§ 107. Regulations.
§ 108. Definitions.

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§ 101. Baseline system defined.

A baseline is a continuous line which encircles an island or atoll. The baseline from which the zones designated in this Chapter are to be measured is as follows:

(1) The baseline of an island or portion of an island lacking a barrier reef, fringing reef, or other reef system is the low-water line of the island as marked on large-scale charts officially recognized by the government of the Federated States of Micronesia.

(2) The baseline of an atoll or island or portion of an island having a barrier reef, fringing reef, or other reef system is a line following the contour of the seaward edge of the reef system, which line connects those outermost elevations of the reef which are above water at low tide, and which line exists as marked on large-scale charts officially recognized by the government of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Source: PL 5-112 § 1.

§ 102. Territorial Sea and internal waters-Defined.

(1) There is hereby established a Territorial Sea of 12 nautical miles breadth. The inner boundary of the Territorial Sea of each island or atoll is the baseline as defined in Section 101 of this Title. The outer boundary is a line, every point of which is 12 nautical miles seaward of the nearest point of the baseline.

(2) Waters landward of the baseline, including the lagoons of atolls or islands, are internal waters.

Source: PL 5-112 § 2.

§ 103. Territorial Sea and internal waters-Sovereignty.

The sovereignty of the Federated States of Micronesia extends to its internal waters and Territorial Sea, including sovereign rights over the living and nonliving resources in the Territorial Sea and internal waters and in the airspace above the Territorial Sea and internal waters as well as its bed and subsoil.

Source: PL 5-112 § 3.

§ 104. Exclusive economic zone-Defined.

There is hereby established an exclusive economic zone contiguous to the Territorial Sea. The inner boundary of the exclusive economic zone of each island or atoll is the seaward boundary of the Territorial Sea, and the outer boundary is a line, every point of which is two hundred nautical miles seaward of the nearest point on the baseline as defined in Section 101 of this Title.

Source: PL 5-112 § 4.

§ 105. Exclusive economic zone-Regulation.

Within the exclusive economic zone, the National Government of the Federated States of Micronesia shall have:

(1) Sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources, whether living or nonliving, of the waters superjacent to the seabed and of the seabed and its subsoil, and with regard to other activities for the economic exploitation and exploration of the zone;

(2) Jurisdiction with regard to the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations, and structures; marine scientific research; and the protection and preservation of the marine environment; and

(3) Other rights and duties provided for in international law.

Source: PL 5-112 § 5.

§106. Submerged reefs.

Traditionally recognized fishing rights in submerged reef areas wherever located within the fishery zones of Micronesia shall be preserve and respected.

Source: FSM Code (1982).

§ 107. Regulations.

The President of the Federated States of Micronesia may issue such regulations as are necessary to establish the boundaries of internal waters, the Territorial Sea, and the exclusive economic zone.

Source: PL 5-112 § 6.

§ 108. Definitions.

As used in this Chapter:

(1) "Atoll" means a naturally formed reef system which has one or more islands situated on the reef system, including Ngulu, Ulithi, Sorol, Eauripik, Woleai, Faraulep, Ifalik, Olaimarao, Elato, Lamotrek, West Fayu, Puluwat, Pulap, Pulusuk, Namonuito, Kuop, Nomowin, Murilo, Losap, Namoluk, Satawan, Etal, Lukunor, Minto Reef, Oroluk, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi, Pakin, Ant, Sapwuafik, Mwoakilloa, and Pingelap.

(2) "Island" means a naturally formed area of land, surrounded by water, which is above water at high tide.

Source: PL 5-112 § 7.

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