4 Based on the provisions of the SOLAS 74 Convention, the forty-eighth regular session of the IMO Maritime Safety Conrmittee, approved the proposal submitted by the Republic of Cuba for traffic separation schemes in its territorial waters off the northern coast, whose description and geographical position are published in part B, section IX of Ships Routeing, 5th edition, London, 1984.
5 Regulation 8 of Chapter V of the SOLAS 74 Convention provides for the possibility of establishing measures for ships' routeing systems other than traffic separation schemes.
6 The Republic of Cuba has been promulgating rules and protection measures in accordance with IMO regulations and the instruments referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 above of which it is a contracting party, to safeguard certain marine areas from environmental damage caused by ships.
7 During the fortieth session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (18-24 September 1997) the Archipelago of Sabana-Camaguey was designated a "Particularly Sensitive Sea Area" in resolution MEPC.74 (40), since it satisfied the relevant criteria contained in resolution A.720 (17).
8 Because of the good state of conservation of the area's renewable natural resources, its unique nature and beautiful scenery, socio-economic and cultural value and importance in scientific research, its high priority for conservation of biodiversity and it is the subject of a huge enormous tourist development programme, the Archipelago of Sabana-Camaguey is a priority element of the national system of protected areas in the Republic of Cuba and has thus been designated as such
Justification
9 According to regulation 8 of SOLAS 74, ships' routeing systems contribute, inter alia, to safety and efficiency of navigation and protection of the marine environment, and are recommended for use by and may be made compulsory for all ships, certain categories of ships or ships carrying certain cargoes.
10 Taking into account the guidelines and criteria developed by the International Maritime Organization in resolution A.572 (14), and because of the need to avoid the risk of pollution with the consequent effects on the ecosystem of Varadero Beach and the valuable marine resources in the vicinity, within the territorial waters of the Republic of Cuba, and in the jurisdiction of the Archipelago of Sabana-Camaguey, the Ministry of Transport, in resolution No. 341/97 of 14 November 1997 decided to establish an "area to be avoided" by all types of ships over 150 gross tonnes, between the northern coast of the province of Matanzas and the points shown in the attached annex.
Action requested of the Sub-Committee
11 The Sub-Committee is invited to examine the above proposal and to adopt such measures as it deems appropriate.
