The waters of the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) carry stories of abundance, connection, and shared responsibility. Yet beneath their surface lies a growing concern about Abandoned, Lost or otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG), or “ghost” gear, which continue to threaten marine life and coastal livelihoods. From 30 September to 2 October 2025, stakeholders gathered in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, to turn evidence and dialogue into concrete strategies for addressing this challenge and building a cleaner, safer ocean for the future.
Organised by the ATSEA Program with support from the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and the Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), the ALDFG Strategic Planning Workshop aimed to develop Indonesia’s strategies and practical actions for managing fishing gear waste in Fisheries Management Area 718. The event also strengthened Indonesia’s contribution to a broader regional effort under the ATSEA Program to reduce marine pollution through the Regional Action Plan on ALDFG.
The three-day workshop began with opening remarks from ATSEA Interim Executive Director Dr Handoko Adi Susanto, Todd Dias from the Australian Consulate General in Makassar, and Lingga Prawitaningrum from MMAF. Their statements highlighted the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility in addressing this transboundary issue that links the countries of the ATS region.
Setting the tone for the sessions that followed, participants were introduced to Fault Tree Analysis, a participatory method for tracing root causes of complex problems. Working in groups, they examined three main categories of gear loss: nets lost or abandoned at sea, discarded broken nets, and unmanaged end-of-life gear. Through this exercise, participants identified contributing factors ranging from operational hazards to limited disposal systems and weak enforcement.
The process created a shared understanding of where interventions are most needed and how different sectors can respond collectively. This shared foundation guided the next phase of the workshop, which focused on regional experiences and tested solutions.
To inspire new thinking, the second day highlighted lessons from previous initiatives addressing fishing gear waste. The OceanEarth Foundation presented the SeaNet Project, which supported communities in Merauke to collect, clean and recycle old nets into nylon products. The Environmental Justice Foundation shared experiences from the Net Free Seas Project in Java, where small-scale fishers earned additional income through net recycling schemes. Meanwhile, DCCEEW Australia introduced the Ghost Gear Monitoring Program, showcasing the use of drone technology and partnerships with Indigenous rangers to detect and remove debris along northern Australian coasts.
Building on those insights, participants identified more than twenty potential interventions, grouped into four thematic clusters: policy and governance, capacity building and awareness, circular economy and funding, and research, innovation and technology. Each proposal was then reviewed based on feasibility, potential impact and sustainability.
Through small-group sessions and world café discussions, participants refined their ideas, identified barriers and enablers, and prioritised actions for each theme. They also mapped key stakeholders, estimated implementation timelines and discussed how proposed solutions could be adapted to local conditions while remaining aligned with regional objectives.
Next Steps and Way Forward
On the final day, participants presented their proposed solutions and exchanged ideas on how to translate them into real-world action. Discussions emphasised the need to strengthen collaboration among national agencies, local communities and regional partners to ensure long-term results.
The workshop concluded with agreement on the next steps, including refining the fault tree analysis, consolidating the prioritised actions and preparing pilot interventions that will form Indonesia’s contribution to the development of Regional Action Plan on ALDFG.
In closing, ATSEA reiterated the importance of continued cooperation between Indonesian agencies, local stakeholders and partners in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste to address ghost gear as shared transboundary challenges in the Arafura and Timor Seas.
By combining science, community knowledge and shared commitment, the discussions and outcomes from Makassar strengthened the foundation for coordinated efforts to reduce ghost gear and safeguard the Arafura and Timor Seas. The workshop served as a reminder that collective action, from policy reform to community innovation, remains key to restoring the health of these shared waters.
By Yulia Dewi