The Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region is rich in wildlife, including mangroves that make up 25% of the worldโs total and include 45 different species. These mangroves are crucial for many marine animals like reef fish and turtles and help protect shores from erosion and climate change effects.
Senior government officials from Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and Timor-Leste convened in Brisbane on 25 and 26 June 2024 for the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) Senior Government Officialsโ Meeting (SGOM). This crucial meeting served as a Special Session of the Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase II (ATSEA-2) Projectโs Regional Steering Committee (RSC) Meeting.
The health of our oceans is crucial for the well-being of countless communities and ecosystems. The Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase II (ATSEA-2) Project has been at the forefront of this mission, working to support the enhancement of marine and fisheries governance in Indonesia.
Started in 2019,ย ATSEA-2 is the second phase of the Arafura & Timor Seas Ecosystem Action (ATSEA) Program; 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 Project 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.
ATSEA Grievance Redress Mechanism
ATSEA highly values Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), which acts as a vital tool for communication and conflict resolution with stakeholders and partners. It ensures prompt and confidential handling of concerns and complaints related to the ATSEA Program’s impact on individualsโ and groups’ rights. Anyone affected, including project beneficiaries and the public, are encouraged to submit feedback. The GRM’s primary focus is to address complaints, promote transparency, and facilitate issue resolution.
