The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has temporarily banned fishing and sailing in waters off Puerto Princesa and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park on Oct. 10 which form as a designated ‘drop zone’ for possible rocket debris from a planned Chinese space launch.
The sea restrictions will take effect from 3:20 a.m. to 3:49 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, according to an advisory issued by BFAR in Mimaropa.
The advisory, BFAR-MPRL-2026-008, said the affected waters need to be cleared in connection with the scheduled launch of a Long March 12 rocket from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, at the Chinese province of Hainan.
BFAR said rocket debris was not expected to fall on land or inhabited areas within Philippine territory based on the span of the drop zone.
However, it warned that ships, fishing boats and other sea vessels passing through the area could potentially be damaged by falling debris.
There was also a possibility that remaining rocket debris could float in surrounding waters and eventually be carried by currents toward nearby shorelines, according to the advisory.
BFAR, in coordination with the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), advised fishermen, seafarers and the public to avoid approaching or collecting suspected rocket debris that may be found at sea or on shore.
PhilSA warned of possible hazards from residual toxic substances, including rocket fuel, and recommended the use of appropriate personal protective equipment when necessary.