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The Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region faces environmental pressures that no single country can address alone. ATSEA focuses on five shared priorities that support sustainable development, regional coordination, and better outcomes for ecosystems and communities.

Species and Habitat Loss

Safeguarding Marine Species Vital to Regional Identity and Resilience

Why this matters

Sea turtles, dugongs, coastal sharks, rays, whales and dolphins are Endangered, Threatened, and Protected marine species. They are culturally significant and ecologically important to keep marine ecosystem healthy. Their habitats span national boundaries and are increasingly degraded by human activity.

What we are doing together

To conserve species and habitats, ATSEA is supporting:

  • Implementation of the Regional Action Plan for Sea Turtles
  • Development of a new Regional Action Plan for other priority species
  • Reduction of key threats by 25% for at-risk species
  • Stabilization or increase in sea turtle nest counts at priority sites
  • Integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in conservation planning
  • Expansion of 70,000 km² of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
  • Improvement in MPA management effectiveness by 25%
  • Designation of 10,000 km² under Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)
Why this matters to your work

These actions give managers and scientists the tools to design effective conservation strategies across borders. If your role involves species protection or marine area management, we can support you with shared data, regional strategies, and community-based models that align with national priorities.

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