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24 Jun

Journalist Training on “Sustainable Management of Marine & Coastal Ecosystems in the Arafura Sea & Timor Seas Region”

Open Recruitment Journalist Training “Sustainable Management of Marine & Coastal Ecosystems in the Arafura Sea & Timor Seas Region” The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) of Indonesia, with the support of the Arafura & Timor Seas Ecosystem Action (ATSEA) Programme invites active journalists in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste to take part in a journalist training

23 Jun

Minister Calls for Improved Inter-Sectoral Collaborations to Achieve Biodiversity Goals and Targets

In most countries, synergy and coherence among existing biodiversity policies has been identified as a serious gap in the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). The creation of an integrated approach, underpinned by strong institutions and good governance, can be an essential step for countries to effectively achieve their biodiversity goals

23 Jun

Conserving Sea Turtles, Conserving Our Future

Sea turtles have roamed the oceans for the last 110 million years. Existing for so long, however, does not mean that sea turtles are immortal or live stress-free lives. In fact, current sea turtle populations are greatly threatened by several human activities, such as unselective fisheries, direct take, predation, light pollution, illegal trade, habitat loss

19 Jun

Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis in Merauke: Using a Participatory Approach

Over time, the Arafura Timor Seas (ATS) have seen many changes in terms of governance, ecology and the socio-economic conditions of the area. In light of this ever-changing landscape, Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) is one of the primary goals of the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA ATSEA-2 Project. In the latest round of TDA, various information gaps and data

15 Jun

Regional Collaboration, Political Will: Protecting Natural Marine Heritage in the ATS Region

Humanity is facing unprecedented challenges to its long-term survival on planet Earth. Foremost among them is climate change, as rising temperatures pose an existential threat to the human race. More than 70% of our planet is covered by oceans, which are natural climate regulators. To avoid disaster and mitigate the impacts of climate change, the

14 Jun

MMAF Calls for International Collaboration to Combat IUU Fishing

In order to curb the practice of Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing, Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) has encouraged member nations of the Regional Plan of Action to Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (RPOA-IUU) and G20 countries to implement responsible fisheries standards. This is an affirmation of the MMAF’s active

07 Jun

Building Capacity and Raising Awareness: Training for Timor Sea Pollution

Due to human activities, pollution and degradation of marine ecosystems are becoming increasingly difficult to control. The negative impacts of pollution are many and varied, and their effects ripple outwards to impact many different parties. Causes of pollution range from the use of explosives in fishing to industrial waste, offshore oil drilling and the disposal

03 Jun

Slick Response: ATSEA-2 Webinar Tackles Oil Spills in the ATS

The Timor Sea in the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region is particularly vulnerable to oil spills. One of the biggest in recent times was the Montara disaster in 2009, when an estimated 40 million litres of oil leaked from a faulty rig. ATS countries have differing levels of preparation and response capacity when it

01 Jun

Developing an Artisanal Fisheries Management Plan with South Fly Communities

The dinghy ride from the town of Daru to Sigabaduru village in the South Fly District of Papua New Guinea (PNG) was about three hours long, but smooth and enjoyable. The sea was calm on a dull day without wind. These were the perfect conditions for exploring the scenic collection of islands dispersed throughout the

11 May

Community-based Turtle Conservation in Lautem, Timor-Leste

On 4 May 2022, the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA ATSEA-2 Project collaborated with a prominent local conservation organisation called ‘The Hadomi Ambiente Youth Group’ in Com Village, Lautem Municipality. Together, they facilitated a focus group discussion (FGD) in relation to turtle conservation for the region. Members of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and representatives of Conservation

10 May

Women Improving Family Economies Through Processing of Fish Products

Hailing from Merauke in Indonesia (one of the ATSEA-2 main project sites), Hasnah is a prominent figure in her community. Her daily routine is a mixture of regular housewife duties, combined with the processing of fisheries-related products, especially those concerning snapper and mackerel. Several years ago, her husband’s boat capsized in heavy seas. After that,

07 May

Organise and Optimise: The Women’s Cooperatives Driving Economic Development in Timor-Leste

In the Manatuto Municipality of Timor-Leste, rural poverty poses a major problem. But the key to solving these issues could be found in the promotion of sustainable fishery practices, with a focus on empowering women’s entrepreneurship in rural areas through a series of cooperatives. The ATSEA-2 Project is working in the Barique Posto Administrativo in

27 Apr

Experts Unite to Upscale Sea Turtle Conservation Efforts

Sea turtles have been around since dinosaurs roamed the earth. For more than 100 million years, these large, air-breathing marine reptiles have inhabited tropical and subtropical seas throughout the world. Today, green and loggerhead sea turtles are classified by IUCN as “Endangered”, while leatherback and olive ridley sea turtles are classified as “Vulnerable” and hawksbill

21 Apr

Synergy the Key to Sustainable Fisheries Management in the Arafura Sea

The Arafura Sea is a marine area in Indonesia with the potential for abundant fishery resources, especially for deep-sea species such as snapper. To support its sustainability, it is necessary to implement sustainable fisheries management activities. Efforts have been made, among others, through an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) and a Fisheries Improvement Project

21 Apr

ATS Region Steps up Collective Action to Protect and Revitalise the Ocean

The ocean connects, sustains and supports us all. Yet its health is at a tipping point and so is the well-being of all that depend on it. To restore balance to the ocean, we must work together. The Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region is home to coral reefs, a quarter of the world’s mangroves,

10 Apr

MMAF Initiates Fishery Intelligence Regional Network to Combat Illegal Fishing

The Director General of Surveillance for Marine and Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia (Ditjen PSDKP) has openly submitted a proposal to establish an intelligence network in the fisheries sector of the ASEAN region, as well as the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS). The establishment of this intelligence

05 Apr

Community Empowerment and Coral Reef Restoration in Rote Ndao

Coastal communities are on the frontline of coral reef management. These groups depend on coastal ecosystems for their food and livelihoods; by empowering them to manage and restore coral reefs, reliable, immediate and mutually beneficial custodianship of these habitats can be secured. Coral reefs in the Rote Ndao Regency area support a high level of

01 Apr

Merauke and Aru Islands Fishermen Adopting Digital Solutions to IUUF

One of the most productive and most important fishing grounds in Indonesia, Fishery Management Area (WPP) 718 is facing a serious threat from illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. However, fishers and officials in WPP 718 have embraced a cutting-edge new electronic logbook system that greatly simplifies the process of registering vessels and reporting catch,

31 Mar

Preparing a Roadmap for the Supervision of Marine and Fishery Resources in WPP 718

Efforts to increase the effectiveness of the supervision of marine and fishery resources in Fisheries Management Area (Wilayah Pengelolaan Perikanan, or WPP) 718 require synergy between law enforcement agencies. To that end, a road map for collaborative management has been developed by the Directorate General for Surveillance for Marine and Fisheries Resources (PSDKP), the Marine

31 Mar

Coffee Morning and Media Meeting in Merauke, Papua

In the ongoing mission to raise awareness of marine and fisheries conservation issues, which have hitherto not been widely discussed, the media represents an essential tool. This is why the ATSEA-2 Project held a meeting with a number of journalists from print and online media in Merauke on Tuesday, 19 October 2021. First and foremost,

30 Mar

New Blue Economy Opportunities For Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste is at a critical juncture: the blue economy brings new opportunities. Identifying new and innovative financing options is critical. The recent UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26) underscored the urgency of the global transition away from fossil fuels towards greener models of economic growth that bring people and planet back into balance. The

30 Mar

The Importance of Gender Analysis and Mainstreaming in Rote Ndao District

Gender analysis is an essential first step in the process of identifying gender barriers in any ongoing or planned programmes. This information can inform better strategies and help develop programmes that are more relevant to the varying needs of men and women in target communities. With that in mind, the ATSEA-2 Project conducted a gender

30 Mar

Community Monitoring Group: Combatting IUUF in Karey Village

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) is a major issue throughout the Arafura Timor Seas (ATS) region. In the Aru Islands of Maluku province, the ATSEA-2 Project and its partners are working alongside local communities to build up surveillance and strengthen defences. Uniquely, traditional community monitoring groups, called pokmaswas, are leading the way, using customary

29 Mar

EAFM in Timor-Leste: the Blueprint for a Greener Future

The ATS is home to a number of red snapper species, but three are particularly important to commercial, artisanal and recreational fisheries in the region: saddletail snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus), crimson snapper (Lutjanus erythropterus) and red emperor (Lutjanus sebae). To ensure the sustainability of these species, effective management of fisheries is vital. In Timor-Leste, coastal fisheries

28 Mar

Strengthening Commitments: Supporting the Implementation of ICM in Timor-Leste

The ATSEA-2 Project has been working to support the creation of integrated coastal management plans (ICM), including baseline assessments in the Barique Posto Administrativo region. The baseline assessment focused on climate change vulnerability and adaptation options, including ecological and socio-economic conditions at two coastal villages (Aubeon and Uma Boco) in Barique, Manatuto Municipality. The ICM

25 Mar

Working with Communities in South Fly to Develop an Artisanal Fisheries Management Plan

After a short dinghy ride from the island town of Daru, the ATSEA-2 team arrived at the coastal village of Aberemabu in South Fly. The tide was receding, exposing a long, black sandy beach interrupted by isolated outcrops of mangroves. The high tide mark at the edge of the village was strewn with nets and

25 Mar

ATSEA-2 DIMS Training: Improving Data Collection and Decision Making in the ATS

Data and information regarding coastal and marine resources in the Arafura Timor Seas (ATS) region provide a vital foundation for decision making, planning and action plans. The process of data collection, validation, analysis and interpretation requires a great deal of time, expertise and resources. In many cases, gaps in the data are discovered where the

24 Mar

Strengthening Targets and Commitments for the Sustainable Development of the ATS Region

Ten years since the publication of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) for the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) Region which provided the technical basis for the 10-year ATS Strategic Action Programme (SAP), the process for its updating was kickstarted through a 2-part Inception Workshop. Updating of the TDA, and later the SAP, are among the

23 Mar

ATSEA-2 and OSRL Join Forces to Raise Awareness of Marine Oil Spills

Marine oil spills represent a major environmental disaster. They can cause significant damage to ecosystems, along with socioeconomic and cultural resources. The impacts of marine oil spills are not limited to the immediate vicinity of the spill, but can be felt across the globe. As the threat from potential oil spill hot spots in the

21 Mar

A Voyage of Discovery: Exploring the Underwater Beauty of Betano

Dominica Paula Jeronimo Guterres, a fresh graduate from the Department of Marine Science of Udayana University, prepares to set off on a dive with a team of marine biologists from the Coral Triangle Centre (CTC). Photo credit: Marthen Welly/CTC for the ATSEA-2 Project I was the only female diver to join the expedition with an

18 Mar

Improving Data Collection for Red Snapper Fishery Management in the ATS Region

Data is a crucial element of fisheries management. Lack of data can contribute to misunderstood stock and inappropriate management, leading to stocks being under or overharvested. To ensure the quality and credibility of data gathered, it is therefore essential to make sure that data collectors have the right skills, tools and knowledge to gather information

16 Mar

Developing a Community Action Plan for Tackling Climate Change in Oeseli Village, Rote Ndao

Located at the southernmost tip of Indonesia, Rote Ndao district is home to a wide range of marine and fishery resources. However, as demonstrated by recent impacts, this area is also especially vulnerable to climate change. To address these issues, the ATSEA-2 Programme is working to develop a clearer understanding of vulnerabilities and formulate an

18 Dec

Gone, but not Forgotten

In Memoriam Dr. Wijoprino (16 June 1960 – 8 November 2021) Dr. Wijopriono was a senior researcher at the Centre for Fisheries Research (CFR) in the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF). He had both a Master’s in aquatic resource management and a doctoral degree in applied remote sensing from the University of

17 Dec

Taking Action to Improve Stakeholder Engagement in Papua New Guinea

Coordinating and a wide range of agencies and stakeholders can be challenging. For the ATSEA-2 Programme to be effective, all stakeholders in PNG must be synergised towards programme implementation. The availability of agency representatives has been an issue that resulted in a lack of representation for several stakeholders at previous project meetings, and it is

17 Dec

Tree Planting to Tackle the Climate Crisis in Timor-Leste

As the world’s water sources dry up due to climate change, tree planting offers a solution that can help mitigate the damage; trees absorb the greenhouse gases that are a leading cause of climate change, by taking in carbon dioxide and transforming it into oxygen. They also absorb water and store it in their roots,

17 Dec

Improving Catches and Reducing Post-Harvest Losses for Fishing Communities in Lautem

Comprising mostly non-motorised boats, the fisheries sector in Timor-Leste is almost exclusively small scale (subsistence and artisanal). Here, the fishing fleet uses low-technology  gear (such as gill nets and hook and line) to capture reef and surface-dwelling fish species (such as sardines, mackerel and flying fish) in shallow waters within 2 km of the coast,

16 Dec

Gender and Inclusion Survey Reveals Impact of Pandemic on Women, Informs Effective Response

Rote Ndao, on Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province’s southern coast is home to close to 150,000 people, many of whom earn their livelihoods as fishers. The twin-disasters of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the April 2021 Seroja cyclone has impacted the community, with women facing the brunt of the impact. A recent survey conducted by

16 Dec

Tackling Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing in Merauke, Papua

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing endangers marine biodiversity in the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region, while also threatening the livelihoods of fishers in littoral nations. Last year, a report by the ATSEA-2 Programme highlighted the need for improved surveillance, to ensure fisheries legislation is implemented effectively3. Today, authorities In Merauke, Papua are leading

15 Dec

Coaching New Trainers for Sustainable Red Snapper Fisheries

Various species of snappers are increasingly coming under threat in the Arafura Timor Seas (ATS) region, due to overfishing of individuals that are yet to reach maturity. In response to this problem, and building upon a previous round of training and group discussions, the ATSEA-2 Programme invited 18 fisheries managers from Indonesia, Timor-Leste and Papua

15 Dec

Replicable Models on Marine Plastic Pollution Monitoring

On 9 November 2021, Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) held a webinar on replicable models on marine plastic pollution monitoring. Taking place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (GMT+7) via Zoom, the webinar was open to all interested parties. “This event aims to highlight all lessons learned from the ASEAN-Norwegian Cooperation Project

15 Dec

Climate Change Adaptation Measures to Benefit Coastal Communities in East Asia, Arafura and Timor Seas

Countries in the East Asian Seas (EAS) region and its neighbouring Pacific countries are highly vulnerable to rising sea levels, due to its low-lying communities and densely populated coastal cities. Additionally, the region also has the highest proportion of weather-related disaster displacement in the world. A recent climate change vulnerability assessment for the Arafura and

14 Dec

ACB, PEMSEA Hold Virtual Session on Transboundary Cooperation for Marine Protected Areas in the ASEAN Region

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) resource facility jointly organised a virtual session on 21 October 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to discuss the status and progress of conservation and transboundary management of coastal and marine biodiversity in

14 Dec

Making Asia-Pacific Resilient to Climate Change

The risk of extreme climate-related disasters is expected to increase further due to climate change. Severe impacts of climate change on nature and society have already been observed globally and locally. Thus, taking steps toward adaptation is crucial to mitigate and avoid such impacts. The Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Information Platform (AP-PLAT) welcomes potential collaboration

13 Dec

Third RSC Meeting: ATSEA-2 Looks Ahead to 2022

Hosted by the Government of Australia through the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE), the Third Regional Steering Committee (RSC) meeting of the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase II (ATSEA-2) took place on 6 and 7 December 2021. Using a hybrid format (both offline and online via Zoom), the event

17 Nov

Overcoming Gender Disparities in the Marine and Fisheries Sector, Aru District, Indonesia

This article was published on IW:Learn website Women play an essential role in pre- and post-harvesting processes in the marine and fisheries sector. However, their contributions are often overlooked and undervalued, especially when it comes to making decisions. The ATSEA-2 Programme hosted a discussion involving a range of national- and local-level stakeholders, which encouraged women to voice

05 Nov

Improving Seafood Processing Skills for Women in Manufahi

This article was published on IW:Learn website On any typical day in the coastal communities of Manufahi Municipality in Timor-Leste, more fish may be harvested than can be consumed or sold. At other times, there is a need to preserve seafood so that it can be stored over long periods when the supply chain is unpredictable, such

01 Nov
These fishing boats are capable of sailing as far as Malaysia, Indonesia and even Papua New Guinea in search of fish stocks. Image credit: gerrypopplestone licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

New Coordination Forum Established to Tackle Violations of Fisheries Law in Papua

A local fisherman from a village on the Southern coast of Merauke is casting a net from his boat, looking to catch some fish for his family’s dinner. Several large vessels appear on the horizon, heading towards the area where he’s fishing. They’re clearly not from Merauke, so are not permitted to fish in these

14 Oct

ATSEA-2 Animation Contest – Winners Announced!

Kina is a little girl with a magnetic attraction to the sea. All her life, the ocean and its creatures have been a source of endless fascination, providing her with sanctuary and solace. But when Kina realises that the marine environment is threatened by pollution, she decides to take matters into her own hands, calling

26 Sep

Upcycling Plastic Waste to Minimise Pressures on Ecosystems and Biodiversity in Manatuto

Located on the south coast of Manatuto Municipality, Uma Boco is one of many coastal villages at risk from the impacts of climate change. Keeping in mind the need to conserve and protect the environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) of Timor-Leste and UNDP Timor-Leste organised three days of training in an awareness-raising

19 Sep

Tackling Fisheries Management Issues in South Fly District

In the South Fly district of Western Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG), the issue of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is very common. Especially in coastal villages, fisherfolk rarely report details of their catch to the relevant authorities. Through a combination of management, policy and education, the ATSEA-2 Programme is working to conserve

18 Sep

Devising a Harvest Strategy for Red Snapper in Arafura

The Arafura region is home to a great number of red snapper fisheries. Though they differ in size, most of them have high rates of catch in common. To regulate fishing practices and avoid over exploitation of marine resources, it is essential to have a policy that regulates existing utilisation patterns. This can be achieved

14 Sep

Paving the Way for Sustainable Red Snapper Fisheries in the ATS

Snappers are a popular table fish, but the stocks are under immense pressure in some parts of the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region. Reliable data on stock status for snapper fisheries in the ATS region are relatively limited and outdated, making the assessment of stock status especially challenging. Gathering up-to-date information on high-value fishery

14 Sep

Strengthening Gender Inclusion in the Marine and Fisheries Sector

Climate change is having an impact on fisheries, habitats and biodiversity in the Arafura and Timor Seas region, with greater impact on people’s lives and livelihoods expected in future. This will further exacerbate existing gender and other social inequalities, with women and other vulnerable groups bearing the brunt of negative consequences. Prevailing social conditions and

14 Sep

Maximising Benefits: Using an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries in ATS

The Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region is home to several red snapper species that are important to commercial, artisanal and recreational fisheries in the region. To sustainably manage the fisheries, a plan of comprehensive and integrated ecosystem-based approaches to natural resource management and conservation is being developed in a participatory manner for the region.

07 Sep

Investigating Gender Equity, Social Inclusion and Environmental Standards in South Fly

Into the room walked a group of tall and muscular men. They offered their hands in greeting, the skin on their palms rough and calloused from years of working at sea. These fishermen from the South Fly coast were in Daru to sell their catch. They were also here for a Gender Equity and Social

07 Sep

Improving the Management of Barramundi Fisheries in Merauke District, Papua

During the dry months between May to November, fisher folks from villages in Merauke District head towards the coastal waters in fishing boats. They know that this is the best season to catch barramundi (Lates calcarifer) in the coastal waters of Merauke. During these months, they could catch large-sized female barramundi in these coastal waters,

07 Sep

“Uniting the Arafura and Timor Seas” Animation Contest (Deadline Extended)

The GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA ATSEA-2 Programme calls people from anywhere in the world to submit animated videos sharing the urgency to protect the ocean. Anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to submit an animated video on this #ATSEAchallenge themed “Uniting the Arafura and Timor Seas”. The Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region is unique in

07 Sep

East Nusa Tenggara Government Announces the Pollution Prevention Team

This article was published on IW:Learn website The waters of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province are home to a flourishing ocean ecosystem, but this biodiversity is under constant threats. As oil and gas exploration expands and shipping lanes in the region become ever more congested, the risk of oil spills continues to grow. On 21

07 Sep

Researchers find Humpback Dolphins and Speckled Carpetshark in Southeast Aru Islands

This article was published on IW:Learn website A group of 13 researchers has reported the discovery of Speckled carpetshark (Hemiscyllium trispeculare) in the waters of the Southeast Aru marine sanctuary (SAP) in Maluku, Indonesia. Growing up to 79cm long, this species of walking shark is scattered throughout Australian waters – its existence in the waters

02 Sep

Protecting Sea Turtle Populations to Promote Sustainable Ecotourism in Nino Konis Santana National Park

The beautiful white sand beach at the coastal village of Com, within the Nino Konis Santana National Park in Lautem Municipality, is recognised as an important nesting site for hawksbill turtles. However, the decline of sea turtle populations threatens the sustainability of community-based ecotourism. In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), ATSEA-2

31 Aug

ATSEA-2 Workshop Sets Out to Improve Writing Skills

ATSEA-2 is continuously working to promote sustainable development in the ATS region and improve the quality of life of its inhabitants. Part of this process involves writing articles and reports that communicate progress to partners, stakeholders and the wider public. To support this aspect of ATSEA-2 and improve standards, a writing workshop was held for

26 Aug

Indonesia’s NTT Province Calls for Stronger Preparedness and Mitigation Measures to Control Pollution in the Timor Sea

This article was published on UNDP Indonesia website The waters of the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) Region, which form a major part of the maritime boundary between Indonesia and Australia are essential for the livelihoods of millions of coastal communities living around the region, supporting food systems and large scale fisheries. The threat of

30 Jun

Essential-Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management Hybrid Training: A Collaborative Effort Amid Covid-19 Pandemic

It was just a few minutes before 8am in Denpasar, Bali, but all participants had already gathered at the Indonesian learning hub, ready to begin their Essential-Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (E-EAFM) training. Bali was not the only learning hub to host such training; various other participants had gathered in two other destinations, in Dili,

30 Jun

National Fisheries Authority Launches ATSEA-2 Programme in Papua New Guinea

The first phase of the Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action project (known as ATSEA-1) was started in Papua New Guinea (PNG) but did not continue through to completion. One of the reasons for this was a perceived lack of engagement by key stakeholders in PNG. To address this issue and prepare for the launch

30 Jun

Analysing the Potential Economic Impacts of IUU Fishing in Indonesia

Assessing the potential economic impacts of IUU Fishing requires an appropriate methodology to be chosen and effectively executed. With a number of distinctly different methodologies currently being applied, with varying levels of expertise, the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA ATSEA-2 Programme held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on IUU Fishing Baseline Estimates for the Arafura and Timor Seas Region,

30 Jun

Mainstreaming Gender Equity and Social Inclusion in the ATS Region

In celebration of the United Nations World Oceans Day, the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA ATSEA-2 Programme and UNDP’s Global Marine Commodities Project (GMC), jointly held a live webinar on 10 June 2021, entitled Mainstreaming Gender and Social Inclusion in Fisheries and the Marine Sector in the Arafura and Timor Seas Region. The webinar was attended by 125 participants

30 Jun

Initiating Kolepom Island Conservation: The Hidden Benefits of Mangroves

Mangrove forests play an essential role in the surrounding ecosystem. Their importance to the sustainability of life (and livelihoods) has been confirmed in the testimonies of community members in seven villages along the west coast of Kolepom Island, during a field survey from 24 March – 1 April 2021. This survey comprises a series of

30 Jun

Building Resilience to Mitigate Climate Change

Coastal environments and their biodiversity have, for centuries, played significant roles in the livelihoods of the communities dwelling along the coast. However, they are now under mounting pressure from rapid population growth and climate change, with potentially dire consequences for the global community.  With Timor-Leste being one of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), such

30 Jun

Stepping Up Efforts to Improve Sustainable Red Snapper Fishery Production in Timor-Leste

Covering a total area of 1,877 km2, Municipio Viqueque is one of five sites of the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA ATSEA-2 Programme for the Timor-Leste component. The municipality is home to around 76,033 people (according to the 2015 census), comprised predominantly of coastal communities who use double outrigger canoes and fibreglass mono-hull vessels to catch fish. Despite numerous

30 Jun

Developing an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a maritime nation, home to beautiful coastal environments and rich in marine resources. From lush mangrove estuaries to sprawling reefs, the marine habitats of PNG are ideally suited to fisheries. To safeguard the economic viability of these fisheries and the ecosystems that support them, these resources have to be managed

09 Jun

New study pinpoints marine pollution hotspots in the ATS region

GEF IW:LEARN World Oceans Day 2021 Special Issue The Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region is not only extremely rich in living marine resources, but also oil and gas reserves. According to a recent study by Dr. Won-Tae Shin, CEO of Global Ocean, Inc. in collaboration with the ATSEA-2 programme, the southern coast of Timor

09 Jun

RGM and SPF workshops: Bringing a shared vision for the ATS region into focus

GEF IW:LEARN World Oceans Day 2021 Special Issue In 2014, the littoral countries of Australia, Indonesia and Timor-Leste jointly committed to strengthen governance of the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region. Their aim was to achieve key environmental objectives and targets, in line with a shared vision for sustainable development in the region. In support

25 May

Casting the Net Wider: Expanding Regional Protection for the ATS Region

Designing an MPA Network To protect and manage a large marine ecosystem such as the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region is no easy feat. One tried and tested method is to focus efforts on High Conservation Value Areas (HCVA). In recent years, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and especially ‘no-take zones’, have become popular tools

30 Apr

ATSEA Red Snapper EAFM Assessment

The Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase II (ATSEA-2) project is currently supporting the development of an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) plan for red snapper fisheries in the Arafura and Timor Seas. Find out more about ATSEA-2 here (https://atsea-program.com). As a stakeholder of these fisheries, we request your assistance. The following survey

30 Apr

Preliminary Study Shows Livelihoods Vulnerable to Marine Pollution

GEF-UNDP-PEMSEA Arafura-Timor Seas Programme A survey of south-coast communities and coastal ecosystems in Timor-Leste has found onshore and offshore marine pollution presents a significant threat to economic and environmental sustainability. Global marine pollution, combined with climate change, threatens the collapse of all marine ecosystems within our lifetimes. An estimated 80 percent of all pollution in

01 Apr

ICM Unlocks Collaborative Approaches to Sustainable Development

Healthy coastal environment is vital for lives and livelihoods. However, the rampant economic exploitation, marine pollution, and climate change impact remain unsettled tasks to be resolved. These multivariate threats to coastal habitats and ecosystems require integrated management as the key to sustainable development. Integration and coordination of various coastal and marine management efforts is the

01 Apr

Data Key to Sustaining Red Snapper Fishery in Timor-Leste

In Timor-Leste – where over 70% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture –  fishing is a crucial source of livelihoods and protein for both coastal dwellers and inland communities. Small-scale coastal fisheries dominate the fisheries sector, while inland fish farms are seasonal and usually sustain only a single household. Surveys of the Timor Sea[1]

01 Apr

Presenting the Initial Findings on the Estimated Value and Volume Loss of the RPOA-IUU Participating Countries

To ramp up the efforts on addressing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, ATSEA-2 has committed to provide incremental support to better understand the drivers, trends, characteristics, and impacts of IUU fishing and to reduce IUU fishing in the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region. The baseline for the fisheries component and fisheries-related activities in

01 Apr

Meet ATSEA-2’s PNG Team

The GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA ATSEA-2 Project welcomes Mr. Kenneth Yhuanje and Mr. Joe Kiningi as the National Coordinating Unit (NCU) staff members of ATSEA-2 Project in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Mr. Kenneth Yhuanje joins the NCU as PNG’s National Project Coordinator. Ken has 14 years of professional experience in fisheries, conservation and environmental impact assessment. He previously

01 Apr

Using Big Data to Fight Illegal Fishing

FAO has estimated that the effect of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in Indonesia is US$ 10-US$ 23 billion annually, but it has lost more than US$ 80 billion annually because of poor fisheries management. With over 17,000 islands and the world’s second-longest coastline, Indonesia, without a doubt, faces a massive challenge in securing

01 Apr

Gathering feedback for ATS MPA Network & Sea Turtle Regional Action Plan

An ecosystem valuation study estimated the economic value of coastal and marine resources in the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region to be about 7.3 billion USD (ATSEA-2, 2021). However, anthropogenic factors threaten marine resources in the ATS region, such as unsustainable harvesting, bycatch, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and climate change. A promising design

01 Apr

Strengthening Partnership for Oceanography Data Collection

Lack of data has historically been a significant limitation for understanding the marine biodiversity and impacts of human activities. Seizing the opportunity to collect robust oceanography data for the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region, ATSEA-2 Project plans a joint-survey with the Institute of Marine Research and Observation (IMRO) of the Indonesian Ministry of Marine

01 Apr

ATSEA-2 and Partners Reaffirm Commitment for Fisheries Management

ATSEA-2 Program is a regional partnership involving four littoral countries: Indonesian Government, Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea by the support of Australian Government in order to collectively manage high marine and fisheries resources in Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS). In Indonesia, ATSEA-2 is focusing its work on the Fisheries Management Area (WPPNRI) 718 that

01 Apr
Interviewing local community in Oenggaut Village, Rote Barat Sub-district

Marine Pollution Accentuates A Growing Risk for Coastal Fisheries

With imminent risks still lurk Rote Ndao’s fisheries due to the presence of several active oil rigs around the Timor Sea, ATSEA-2 conducts a field survey seeking to understand local community’s perception on impacts of marine- and land-based pollution. Located in East Nusa Tenggara Province, this sparsely populated island had a ghastly incident that still

22 Dec

Knowledge and capacity building on issues of IUU fishing for local fishers in Timor-Leste

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing is an issue that affects sustainable fisheries around the world, including in the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region. In many cases the constraints on patrolling and reporting of illegal or unregulated fishing vessels has its limitations, due to the nature of the open sea and technological limitations. However, there

12 Dec

The final stretch to ratifying a Marine Pollution Mitigation team in the Timor Seas

There have been several cases of marine pollution in the Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) Province in Indonesia in the past which has highlighted the need to mitigate and prevent these events in the future. One of those ways is to create a fast response team and a coordination mechanism in order to equip the NTT

25 Nov

ATSEA-2 Second RSC Meeting: Reviewing progress in the year of COVID-19

The GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA ATSEA-2 Project held its second Regional Steering Committee (RSC) meeting on 25 November 2020 to review the project’s progress in the past year and to discuss activities to be implemented for the next year and beyond. Hosted by the Government of Timor-Leste through the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), the meeting was

05 Nov

Building a Better ATS for Tomorrow: An SPF Consultative Webinar Series

During the first week of November 2020, the ATSEA program held a four-day public consultative webinar series where various experts in the field of marine and coastal sciences presented preliminary assessments and research results that would contribute to the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) of the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region. Four thematic discussions were

26 Oct

Rich information exchange at the ATSEA-2’s Technical Workshop meeting

On October 6 and 7, the RPMU hosted a series of Technical Workshop Meetings, where regional and national ATSEA-2 consultants presented initial findings to their studies on the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region. Since the end of the first phase of ATSEA in 2014, the ATS region has seen a number of developments, as

21 Oct

Join our Stakeholder Partnership Forum Webinar Series: Building a Better ATS for Tomorrow

Join ATSEA-2's Stakeholder Partnership Forum (SPF) on 2-5 November for a Consultative Webinar Series where you will hear directly from ATSEA-2's regional consultancy team on initial findings and latest update of their research to ensure that projects implemented in the Arafura and Timor Seas region is based on relevant data and information.

19 Oct

Courtesy Visit to CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat

The ATSEA-2 team undertook a mission to Manado, Indonesia to do a courtesy visit to the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) Regional Secretariat. The visit was conducted on 14th of October 2020. Launched in 2009 through Leaders Declaration, CTI-CFF is a multilateral partnership of six countries which are Indonesia,

30 Sep

RPMU puts together a team of expert consultants

After establishing RPMU’s working unit in the first half of 2020, the regional project of ATSEA-2 has brought on board a team of consultants to support the RPMU in carrying out regional assessments and provide necessary data and information in order to develop and propose sound management interventions for the programme.  The RPMU was able

26 Sep

Kolepom island: officially a Marine Protected Area

Kolepom island, off the coast of Papua, is an area that is abundant with pristine mangrove cover and river mouths that bring rich nutrient deposits. These conditions make the coast of Kolepom island a thriving nursery ground for fish and shrimp in the area, and a productive fisheries resource that attracts many fishermen there. With

02 Sep

NCU Indonesia holds discussions with Papua Province and Merauke District

On 2 September 2020, NCU Indonesia held a virtual coordination meeting with the Technical Regional Organisers (OPD) of Papua Province and Merauke District to update the government units on ATSEA-2’s 2020 Annual Work Plan (AWP). After presenting the ATSEA-2 programme activities and updates, technical discussions were made on collecting data in the field, planning survey

28 Aug

Remote yet dedicated teamwork: ATSEA-2’s 2020 Intersessional RSC Meeting

On Tuesday morning 18th August 2020, members of ATSEA’s Regional Steering Committee (RSC) attended the Intersessional RSC Meeting via zoom video conference call. The meeting was called upon to discuss the mid-year progress of the programme in each working unit and country. Representatives from each unit had the opportunity to present their progress on the

24 Aug

Shaping the ICM sub task team in Manatuto

On 24 August 2020, NCU Timor-Leste held a coordination meeting in Manatuto involving the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) municipality task team members to create an ICM sub task team for the ongoing project activities in Posto Administrativo Barique. As part of ATSEA-2’s SAP implementation, the ICM approach becomes an important management tool in the remote

13 Aug

LPP WPPNRI and NCU Indonesia discuss EAFM action plan

On 12 and 13 August 2020, NCU Indonesia attended two meetings with the Fishery Management Authority of the Fisheries Management Area of the Republic of Indonesia (LPP WPPNRI) to update the operational guidelines for LPP WPPNRI and to discuss the EAFM assessment of red snapper fisheries in Aru Islands and WPPNRI 718. On the first

27 Jul

RPMU continues Courtesy Meetings with marine stakeholders in the region

Following the Courtesy Meeting with MMAF’s Research and Human Resource Agency in late June, RPMU continues to hold virtual meetings with other government agencies and overlapping programmes in the region. The purpose of these meetings is to introduce the ATSEA-2 programme to various stakeholders and working groups, in order to provide them with not only

26 Jul
ATSEA-2

From Covalima to Manufahi : Introducing ATSEA-2 in 5 municipalities of Timor-Leste

The implementation of the ATSEA-2 programme in Timor-Leste had begun back in December 2019. Where plans of project coordination within the region were just about to be initiated. Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, local travels within the country were limited up until six months after that initial phase when NCU Timor-Leste were able to coordinate

29 Jun

Synergizing efforts with MMAF’s Research and Human Resource Agency

The last event of courtesy meetings with the echelon one of Indonesia Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) was held on 29 June 2020 with the Research and Human Resource Agency (BRSDM KP). Similar to the three previous meetings, this meeting aimed to introduce ATSEA-2 RPMU and to seek suggestions on how the ATSEA-2

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