The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has temporarily prohibited fishing and sailing in designated waters off Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park early Monday, November 9, due to the scheduled launch of China's Long March 12 rocket.
In an advisory issued by BFAR-MIMAROPA, the temporary restriction will be in effect from 4:17 a.m. to 4:47 a.m. as the rocket is scheduled to be launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan, China.
The affected waters have been identified as potential drop zones for rocket debris following the launch.
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said the projected debris drop zone is approximately 25 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa City and 19 nautical miles from the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, within Philippine archipelagic waters.
Although the rocket debris is not expected to fall on land or inhabited areas, PhilSA warned that falling rocket components could pose risks to ships, fishing boats, aircraft, and other vessels passing through the designated areas.
There is also a possibility that the debris could float in surrounding waters and eventually drift toward nearby coastlines.
BFAR-MIMAROPA also relayed PhilSA's warning against retrieving or approaching suspected rocket debris, which may contain remnants of toxic substances, including rocket fuel.
The public is advised to immediately report any suspected rocket debris found at sea or on land to local authorities.
The Philippine Navy's Naval Command West has likewise urged fishermen and other maritime operators to avoid the affected waters during the launch window and observe all applicable maritime restrictions.
The advisory follows previous Long March rocket launches from China, which also involved projected debris drop zones near Palawan and other Philippine maritime areas.
