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

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

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

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

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,

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To implement a large-scale and complex programme such as the Arafura and Timor Seas Environmental Action (ATSEA) is not an easy feat.

The official website for the Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action (ATSEA) Programme featuring vital information about its governance and activities was launched in June 2020.

Part of ATSEA-2’s programme is to contribute to the IW:LEARN project, a Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network (IW:LEARN).

World Oceans Day is an international celebration held yearly on 8 June where organisations and individuals celebrate the importance of the Oceans for the planet.

Throughout the time NCU Indonesia has implemented its activities and collaborated with Indonesia Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF).

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on 22 April to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

Through a Focus Group Discussion, ATSEA-2 moves forward to transform the Arafura and Timor Seas Expert Forum to a Stakeholder Partnership Forum.

On March 3 2020, MMAF through the General Directorate of Captured Fisheries launched a harvest strategy for fisheries management of blue swimming crab, snapper and grouper.

Merauke Regency’s natural wealth in Papua is marked by coastal areas and swamps. Kolepon Island is located in Merauke Regency and is one out of nine outer islands under the authorization of Papua Province located in the Aru Sea and adjacent to Australia. Dominated by mangrove swamp and muddy ground, the 11,620 km2 island is

Throughout the end of 2019, all active ATSEA-s programme units were able to host their respective project Inception Workshop. These Inception Workshops are important steps for each management unit, partners and stakeholders involved to form discussions and work together for the common goals of ATSEA-2.

On 16 December 2019, after Timor-Leste’s National Inception Workshop, Timor-Leste’s National Coordination Unit (NCU) hosted the National Project Board (NPB) Meeting. The main agenda of the meeting was to present, discuss and adopt items on the Terms of Reference (TOR) for Timor-Leste’s NPB as presented by the Regional Steering Committee. Another item on the agenda

Aru Tenggara Islands Marine Protected Area (MPA) is one of the Indonesia’s National MPAs based on the Decree of Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries No KEP/63/MEN/2009. Aru Tenggara MPA hosts a rich ecosystem consisting of mangrove, seagrass, and corals – all in good condition. It is located in Aru Islands District, Maluku Province. This

The Fisheries Management Areas of Republic of Indonesia (WPPNRI) is a series of geographical delineation set by the Republic of Indonesia, to identify various marine and fisheries areas within the country. WPPNRI was developed based on each area’s characteristics, diversity of fisheries resources, marine topography, seafloor morphology conditions, and Indonesian maritime boundaries. Through this management

The first Regional Steering Committee (RSC) Meeting of the GEF/UNDP Project on Implementation of Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) Regional and National Strategic Programs: Second Phase of the Arafura-Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Program (ATSEA 2) was held at the Swiss-Belresort Watu Jimbar, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on 19 November 2019. The RSC Meeting was exclusive to

The United Nation (UN)’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water became the main theme of ATSEA-2 participation on 2019’s Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum. This annual event was hosted through a series of seminars followed by a three-day exhibition for startup business and projects supporting marine and fisheries activities throughout Indonesia. Together

The tropical region of the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) is crucial to connect Indian and Pacific Oceans as well as important role in the world’s ocean circulation. ATS has been facing big challenges from lack of awareness on ecosystem level, transboundary threats and less integrated management of the region. During the period of 2001