As part of the ATSEA-2 Programme’s mission to promote gender equality in marine and coastal management, a gender study was conducted during April 2021 in five villages in Aru Island Regency. The study employed qualitative methods in the form of Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) involving 71 women and 63 men who were relevant actors, stakeholders and authorities. The aim was to identify gender-related issues at the grassroots level and local social attitudes that contributed to these inequalities.
Covid-19 restrictions, and the resulting economic uncertainty in the industry, have persisted throughout 2020 and into 2021. As a result, many in these communities are struggling to make ends meet. In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) of Timor-Leste, the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA ATSEA-2 Programme initiated training on seafood processing to prolong the shelf life of seafood, keeping it in good condition for later consumption or sale.
As part of efforts to address these issues, the Papua provincial government issued a decree in 2020 (Papua Governor’s Decree No. 188.4/228/2020) that set a mandate for the establishment of the Papua Fisheries Law Enforcement Coordination Forum.
Combining beautiful imagery with a powerful message, “Kina the Ocean Girl” took home first place in the ATSEA-2 Animation Contest, winning its creator, Aisha Alsakina, Firmansyah CU, Megan Nandia and Puguh Rohmanu the top prize of US$1,000 for her stunning short film.
Started in 2019, ATSEA-2 is the second phase of the Arafura & Timor Seas Ecosystem Action (ATSEA) Programme; a regional partnership involving the Governments of Indonesia, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea, with the support of the Australian Government. This group works to devise and implement solutions to the most important transboundary marine issues facing the region.
Our primary aim is to conserve the biodiversity of the Arafura and Timor seas for the overall health of the ocean and the livelihoods of the communities who depend on it for survival. We also work to ensure the networks supporting these resources and revenues are operated efficiently, fairly and sustainably.
Our objective: to ensure the sustainable management and usage of living coastal and marine resources
Our goal: to sustain the flow of ecosystem goods and services from the Arafura and Timor Seas
From conserving natural ecosystems to empowering local fisheries and securing regional supply chains, the ATSEA-2 Programme sets out to ensure that coastal and marine resources are protected.
We are working in three countries in the ATS region: Indonesia, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea. In Indonesia, our sites are located in Aru District, Maluku Province; Merauke District, Papua Province; and Rote Ndao District, East Nusa Tenggara Province. In Timor-Leste, our sites can be found mainly on the south coast, in the Suai, Manufahi, Manatuto, Viqueque and Lautem Municipios, respectively. Lastly, in Papua New Guinea, ATSEA-2 is operating in the South Fly District of the Western Province.
