E Newsletter Q3 2022 Final Compressed

JULY – SEPTEMBER 2022
ATSEA’S QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

ATSEA-PROGRAM.COM
N E W S L E T T E R
Improving the Management of Sea Turtles

and Critical Habitats:
ATS Countries Endorse

MPA Network
Image Credit: UNDP Timor-Leste for the ATSEA-2 Project
1 | ATSEA Q4 Newsletter | October – December 2021

AVAILABLE AT WWW.ATSEA-PROGRAM.COM
1 | ATSEA Q4 Newsletter | October – December 2021

WELCOME
REGIONAL
Improving the Management of Sea Turtles and Critical
Welcome to the third edition of the 1 Habitats: ATS Countries Endorse MPA Network
ATSEA newsletter in 2022.
Spreading the Word: ATSEA-2 Collaborates with Media
5
It is our pleasure to share with you a Networks in the ATS Region
comprehensive account of initiatives Exploring Regional Collaborations for Oil Spill
7
undertaken by the Program in the third Preparation and Response
quarter of 2022. ATSEA-2 Goes ‘Live’ to Advance the Updating of the
9 Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis for the ATS Region
In this issue of our newsletter, we will
Prioritising Issues Together: Causal Chain Analysis of
take you on a journey from Indonesia 11 Priority Transboundary Issues in the ATS Region
to Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste;
13 Giving Voices to Stakeholders: ATSEA-2 Creative
into the communities where
Writing Training
engagement is taking place and
meaningful impacts are being made, TIMOR-LESTE
where cross-sectoral collaboration is 15 A Voyage of Discovery: Exploring the Underwater
facilitating sustainable development Beauty of Betano
for the ATS region. 19 New Study Identifies 14 Marine Pollution Hotspots in
Timor-Leste
Our feature article highlights the
recent endorsement of a Marine PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Protected Area (MPA) network design Local Fishers Helping to Develop a South Fly
21
by the four countries that border the Fisheries Management Plan
ATS region: Australia, Indonesia, Papua EAFM Training in South Fly Complements
23
New Guinea, and Timor-Leste. Customary Fisheries Management Practices
At the regional level, ATSEA has been INDONESIA

building momentum and catalysing Exploring Transboundary Issues With Communities in
25
initiatives with country partners on Merauke
updating the Transboundary 29 “Proud to Work Alongside My Sisters”: Meet the
Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) and Women Fishers of Papua
establishing a regional network of Climate Change and Poverty: Critical Transboundary
31
environmental journalists. Challenges in Rote Ndao
We hope you enjoy reading this third Funding for Oil Spill Preparedness in the Timor Sea,
33
East Nusa Tenggara
newsletter of the year, and continue to
join us on our journey in 2022. Oeseli Village Establishes Policies for the Protection
35
of Coastal Communities
Take care and stay well,
Synchronisation of Action Plans for Responding to
the ATSEA-2 team 37
Marine Pollution in NTT Province
Technical Consultation Guide to Oil Spill Early
39
Warning System in Rote Ndao District
Introducing STELINA: A New Era for Traceability in
41 the ATS
Talk to us
ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 2

Image Credit: UNDP Indonesia for the ATSEA-2 Project
1 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022
Improving the
Management of
Sea Turtles and
Critical Habitats:
ATS Countries
Endorse MPA
Network
Covering an area of more than 1 million km², the Arafura
and Timor Seas (ATS) region is especially rich in marine
biodiversity and is home to a vast array of sea creatures.
Sustainability of marine ecosystem services is therefore
essential, not only to the conservation of migratory
marine species and their critical habitats, but also to the
food sources and livelihoods of coastal communities
living in the region.
With this concern in mind, four countries that border the
ATS region—namely Australia, Indonesia, Papua New
Guinea, and Timor-Leste—have recently endorsed a
Marine Protected Area (MPA) network design that aims
to support the health and welfare of their waters and
coastal communities.

Image Credit: Yuichi Ishida/UNDP
An MPA has a variety of administrative objectives, million km². This national system includes coastal
ranging from limiting human activity to complete and offshore marine parks in the ATS region that
protection, or establishing "no-take zones" where are helping to protect and conserve the
no natural resource extraction is permitted. MPAs biodiversity of the Arafura and Timor Seas and
serve as a powerful conservation and ensure the use of marine resources is
management tool for addressing local threats, ecologically sustainable.
while also increasing fisheries productivity,
“Australia is strongly committed to protecting the
protecting biodiversity and building resilience to
health of the Arafura and Timor Seas,” explains Dr.
climate change.
Andrew Chek, who is the Acting Director in the
The ATS region supports foraging and migration Department of Climate Change, Energy, the
for various rare and threatened sea turtle species. Environment and Water (DCCEEW) in Australia and
Cognizant of this fact, littoral nations in the region ATSEA-2 National Focal Point in Australia.
are taking action to incorporate sea turtle “Management of our marine parks in the region
protection and reproduction into their MPA contributes strongly to ATSEA Program objectives
network design. As of 2020, MPA coverage in the and we look forward to continued engagement
ATS region was equal to 265,324.49 km² spanning with Indonesia, Timor-Leste and Papua New
four countries. In the coming years, a total of Guinea (PNG) as the MPA network develops into
6,263.79 km² in new MPAs is planned for Indonesia the future,” he added.
and Timor-Leste. This endorsement serves as a
Similarly, PNG is also taking the initiative to assess
guidance for establishing new MPAs in the future.
priority areas for MPAs. The government plans to
Australia’s National Representative System of assist the 13 treaty villages recognised under the
Marine Protected Areas (made up of Australian, Torres Strait Treaty to implement the necessary
state and territory government marine parks) actions in South Fly District. Noan Pakop, who is
covers 45% of Australian waters, or around 4 the Deputy Managing Director of the National

Fisheries Agency (NFA) of PNG and ATSEA-2 Timor-Leste is also shifting focus towards
National Project Director of PNG, says that protecting its marine diversity and reworking its
“respecting traditional communities’ customs and economy. With the country currently standing at a
actively seeking ways to reach an equilibrium with critical development juncture, it is essential that
them is essential for the sustainability of Timor-Leste prioritises the diversification of
conservation for years to come.” income sources. Their recent Decree Law no.
Meanwhile, Indonesia has set a target of 6/2020 established a legal regime for the
establishing 300,000 km² of MPAs by 2030. The protection and conservation of marine
archipelago recently established four new MPAs in biodiversity. It stipulates the authorities
a region proposed by the ATSEA-2 Project; responsible for the sustainable use of resources,
Tanimbar, in the eastern province of Maluku. This planning and monitoring of in-situ conservations,
new designation has increased Indonesia’s efforts as well as research and development of marine
up to 4% from its previous 10% goal to “effectively biodiversity in the country.
manage” national waters by 2030. The ATSEA-2 “Our national ecological gap analysis has helped us
Project also supports the Ministry of Marine Affairs to identify the seven shallow waters and five deep-
and Fisheries (MMAF) blue economy strategy in water regions that are suitable candidates for
expanding conservation areas, with a target of 30% MPAs in our country,” said Acacio Guterres,
of the total area of Indonesian waters. Director General of Fishery, Agriculture and Marine
“We have a goal and we still have a long way to go Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
before we can achieve it,” said Yayan Hikmayani, (MAF) of Timor-Leste, and ATSEA-2 National
Head of the Centre for Fisheries Research at the Project Director of Timor-Leste. “We intend to
MMAF of Republic of Indonesia, who is also the start preparing these areas for future MPAs,” he
ATSEA-2 National Project Director of Indonesia. added, before also reiterating the Timor-Leste
“Establishing new areas is just the first step before government’s commitment to continuing the
we can engage with local communities and ATSEA Program, in order to achieve the
increase our technical capacity to support these conservation and sustainable management of
MPAs, so that the blue economy can be practically marine and coastal ecosystems in the ATS region.
implemented in managing the marine and coastal
areas," she added.
A Resilient Marine Protected Setting Goals, Objectives, and Roadmap for the
Area Network Design for the Design of Resilient Arafura and Establishment of New
Arafura and Timor Seas Timor Seas MPA Network Marine Protected Areas in
the Arafura and Timor Seas

Spreading the Word: ATSEA-2 Collaborates
with Media Networks in the ATS Region
By Ni Luh Putu Yulia Dewi
Worldwide, journalism has played a major role in findings that can inform policy and improve resource
raising awareness of environmental issues and management; journalists from the training course
generating support for biodiversity protection. In the will set out to produce an in-depth reporting on key
Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region, marine and environmental issues through which end-users and
coastal ecosystems, along with the economic and targeted stakeholders can receive accurate and
ecological wellbeing of people, require more timely information, then take affirmative action
attention. For that reason, the ATSEA-2 Programme based on a clear understanding of the issues.
is collaborating with the Alliance of Independent
“You can help shed light on the challenges, initiatives
Journalist of Indonesia (AJI Indonesia) to provide an
and solutions to improve the lives of the coastal
extensive training program for the most talented
communities through restoration, conservation and
journalists in the region.
sustainable management of marine-coastal
In total, 96 journalists from Indonesia, Timor-Leste ecosystems,” said Dr. Handoko Adi Susanto, M.Sc,
and Papua New Guinea applied to join the program; a ATSEA-2 Regional Project Manager. “With your
figure that was eventually whittled down to a select support, I believe we can amplify our work, especially
group of just 21 participants. This group was engaged for people in the region,” Dr Handoko added.
in an intensive training course, designed to develop
Mr. Sasmito, president of AJI, also emphasised the
their skills, encourage participation and facilitate a
significance of collaboration during his speech,
more fruitful and accurate exchange of information.
“Collaboration is not a choice, it’s a must! I believe
ATSEA-2 is adopting a collaborative approach with that cross-border collaboration among journalists will
media networks in order to accelerate the improve government endeavour to maintain
dissemination of information in the ATS region and sustainable value in the ATS region.”
beyond. The Program intends to communicate

“I am hoping that through this training all selected
journalists not only will they improve their
competencies, but also establish a strong journalist
network across countries of Indonesia, Timor-Leste,
Papua New Guinea and Australia,” Sasmito added.
Dr Handoko was speaking at a virtual three-day

training from 2-4 August 2022, which marked the
beginning of the Journalist Fellowships Program.
Entitled ‘Sustainable Management of Marine and
Coastal Ecosystem in the Arafura and Timor Seas Erin Parke, senior journalists at ABC News Australia
Region’, the training featured various experts, who
took the opportunity to expand on the most pressing A participant from PNG, named Lucy Kopana, said,
issues concerning marine and coastal resources in “thank you so much AJI, ATSEA, facilitators,
the ATS region. Dr. Handoko emphasised governance presenters and colleagues! There is still so much to
and priority issues for marine and fisheries sector in digest from all the information and shared
the ATS region, while Dr. Augustine Mungkaje from experiences. I appreciate this very much.”
the University of PNG highlighted ecological
During the event, there was a noticeable
importance, sociocultural values, threats and
improvement in the understanding of many
challenges in the ATS region.
journalists with regards to marine issues in the ATS
Other experts involved in the first training session region, as indicated by the results of the pre- and post-
included Dr. M. Mukhlis Kamal from the Department event tests taken by participants. “I have been
of Aquatic Resources Management, IPB University, interested in IUU fishing issue, but after joining the
who raised the topic of sustainable fisheries and training, I found the need to take gender equality
ecosystems in the ATS Region; Mr. Yusuf Fajariyanto, concerns in the fisheries sector into account,” said
Spatial Planning Manager of the Indonesia Oceans Suci Sekarwati, a participant journalist from Indonesia.
Program at Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara
On the final day of training, journalists pitched their
(YKAN), who introduced participants to Marine
ideas for news stories they intended to cover. These
Protected Areas (MPAs) and the Blue Economy in the
initial ideas were then workshopped with trainers,
ATS Region; and Dr. Dedi S. Adhuri, a senior
who provided feedback and practical advice. Moving
researcher at the Centre for Community and Cultural
forward, the 12 best proposals from the training will
Research (PMB) - National Research and Innovation
be funded by the ATSEA-2 Programme in order to
Agency (BRIN) , who covered gender equity and
generate stories from important sites around
empowerment in relation to the impacts of climate
Indonesia, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea.
change in the ATS region.
The training represents a significant step towards
There was also an opportunity to hear from ABC
ATSEA-2’s goal to increase public awareness of
News Australia senior journalists Inga Stunzner and
environmental sustainability at the regional level,
Erin Parke, who shared their combined experience of
while also helping to spread messages to a global
covering environmental issues. They also gave their
audience. It also supports the achievement of Aichi
support to the event and expressed a willingness to
Biodiversity Target 19, which focuses on advancing
help the new crop of climate journalists. Erin said, “I
scientific technologies to expand our understanding
am happy to voluntarily share more information and
of biodiversity, its benefits, functions, status and
tips for the journalists, (so) feel free to contact me
trends, as well as the effects of its loss. In the long
after the event.”
term, it is hoped the training will prove to be a crucial
Despite some connectivity issues, participants found first step in the creation of a network of journalists
the training to be extremely helpful. “Thank you so devoted to marine and coastal conservation in the
much for the insight, I learned a lot from the ATS region.
speakers,” said Evangelisto Gantry from Timor-Leste.
This article was published on the GEF IW:Learn Website.

Exploring Regional Collaborations for Oil
Spill Preparation and Response
By Casandra Tania
In 2021, ATSEA-2 completed a regional assessment Founded by major oil and energy companies, OSRL
of marine and land-based pollution hotspots in the is a privately funded corporation with expertise in
Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region. The study building capacity for OSPR. In practice, this means
showed that, while the ATS region is highly providing training and technical support at the
productive and rich in resources, it is also under regional, national and local levels through drills and
threat from oil spills due to expansive oil and gas exercises. Together with OSRL, ATSEA-2 facilitated a
exploitation, especially in the Timor Sea. Significant regional exchange event related OSPR, held at the
gaps and disparities were found in countries’ level Grand Copthorne Hotel in Singapore from 23 to 25
of preparedness and response capacity; Australia August 2022. Attended by 10 country delegates
being the most progressive compared to the other from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and
three countries (Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste, along with four ATSEA-2 project team
Timor-Leste). The study recommends ATS members, the event aimed to provide participants
countries work closely with regional organisations, with a better awareness of the OSPR planning
such as Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL), to build process, including mechanisms for regional
national capacity for oil spill preparedness and cooperation. The event also served as an avenue for
response (OSPR). country representatives to network and build
connections with like-minded authorities who share
the same interests in OSPR in the ATS region.

Over the first 1.5 days a workshop was held, during On the final day, the team paid a visit to the
which the delegates learned about various topics, Singapore Maritime Gallery. The gallery tells the
including existing regional cooperation, national story of Singapore’s transformation from a thriving
capacity building, government and industry trading post into a global hub port and leading
integration, Oil Spill Risk Assessment (OSRA), the international maritime centre. The visit was
environmental and socioeconomic impacts of oil followed by lunch at Gardens by the Bay, before
spills, oiled wildlife response and an overview of oil participants returned to their respective countries.
spill response options to Net Environmental
The delegates expressed their gratitude to ATSEA-
Benefit Analysis (NEBA)/Spill Impact Mitigation
2 and OSRL for facilitating the regional exchange
Assessment (SIMA). The sessions were delivered
event. They found the new knowledge and
by eight expert speakers from OSRL and Global
networking opportunities they gained from the
Initiative for Southeast Asia (GISEA).
event to be useful for their future work and said
On the morning of the second day, participants they were looking forward to building regional
had a chance to visit the OSRL Base in Loyang. Mr. collaboration to better prepare for and respond to
Norman Lorica Ramos from OSRL guided the oil spills in the ATS region.
tour, during which he introduced visitors to some
The event provided the first opportunity for three
of the equipment owned by OSRL; technology
ATS countries to gather directly and discuss
that is ready to be deployed in the event of oil
possible regional collaborations on OSPR. There
spills. After that, delegates observed an example
are still many milestones to be reached on the road
of jetty boom deployment by the OSRL team.
ahead, such as institutionalisation of national
Later in the evening, a networking dinner was
authorities and regulations, adoption of national
hosted, to foster connections between
contingency plans, the development of a joint
participants and the OSRL team.
OSRA, and regional modelling and sensitivity
mapping. However, with this meeting, the first
essential step has been taken.

ATSEA-2 Goes ‘Live’ to Advance
the Updating of the Transboundary
Diagnostic Analysis for the ATS Region
By Cristine Ingrid Narcise
"A transboundary problem is an environmental of Country Synthesis Reports, which will serve as
problem that is transboundary in scale - In other references in updating the TDA.
words, it is an environmental problem originating
For its first major regional event after the easing of
in, or contributed by, one or more countries and
COVID-19 travel restrictions, the
affecting (or impacting) another," said Matthew
GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA Arafura and Timor Seas
Fox, the Regional Transboundary Diagnostic
Ecosystem Action Phase 2 (ATSEA-2) Project
Analysis (TDA) Specialist.
brought together key project participants from the
Considering developments in the Arafura and ATS countries in Bali, Indonesia, for the
Timor Seas (ATS) region over the past 10 years, the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) Updating
TDA updating aims to review and confirm or Workshop on 09 August 2022.
update the priority transboundary issues in the
The workshop in Bali was joined by a total of 37
region since the first TDA was completed in 2011.
participants, which included the Regional and
This will provide the basis for updating the regional
National TDA consultants, National Project
Strategic Action Program (SAP) and supporting
Directors (NPDs) and TDA-SAP National Working
National Action Programs (NAPs) for addressing
Group (NWG) representatives from Indonesia
the priority transboundary problems identified in
and Timor-Leste, as well as members of the
the TDA, which were initially developed in 2012.
ATSEA-2 Regional Project Management Unit
The regional inception workshop for the TDA
(RPMU) and National Coordination Unit (NCU)
updating was held virtually in February 2021,
Coordinators, while representatives from Papua
followed by several online national and regional
New Guinea (PNG) and Australia, as well as NCU
meetings in July 2022 to progress the preparation
PNG joined via zoom.

"The value of the TDA updating process in the Point from Australia (Dr. Andrew Chek,
overall 5-year target of the ATSEA-2 project, as it Department of Climate Change, Energy, the
will serve as key basis in the subsequent updating Environment and Water/DCCEEW). The country
of the SAP and NAPs which are targeted to be messages highlighted country support for the TDA
adopted through a Ministerial Declaration by 2024 updating objectives and process, particularly in
to guide longer term collaboration in the region," providing a basis and understanding of the most
said Dr. Handoko Adi Susanto, ATSEA-2 Regional updated status of the ATS region and guiding
Project Manager, in his opening remarks. He also further national and regional planning in the
highlighted the importance of the TDA Updating coming years.
Workshop to help ensure that all countries are
With the facilitation of Mr. Matthew Fox, Regional
properly guided as they proceed with the
TDA Specialist, the National TDA Consultants
consultations and completion of the Country
summarized key points from the country synthesis
Synthesis Reports.
reports, including highlights, points of interest,
Building on the progress and camaraderie from the information likely to be new (since the last TDA 10
virtual meetings, the workshop aimed to review years ago), emerging priority trans-boundary
the draft country synthesis reports for Indonesia, issues, key data sources used, critical information
PNG and Timor-Leste; discuss potential gaps or challenges, and plans for addressing gaps
transboundary issues emerging from the reports; and completing the report. The presentations
review and update the timeline for the TDA were delivered by the team leaders of the National
updating process; plan for succeeding TDA TDA Consultant teams, namely, Dr. Yonvitner,
national and regional consultation workshops; and Director of the Center for Coastal and Marine
identify potential members of the ATS-TDA Resources Studies – IPB University, Indonesia,
Regional Working Group (RWG) which will provide Prof. Ralph Mana of the University of Papua New
advice and technical inputs on regional Guinea, and Dr. Abilio da Fonseca of the National
transboundary issues. University of Timor-Leste.
The Workshop opened with welcoming messages The discussions also raised some key points for
from the National Project Director of Indonesia consideration in the updating of the TDA, including
(Mrs. Yayan Hikmayani, Director of Center for the political and cultural dimensions of
Fisheries Research, Ministry of Marine Affairs and transboundary issues, gender aspects and
Fisheries/MMAF), and representatives from Timor- involvement of women in the coastal economy and
Leste (Mr. Celestino Da Cunha Barreto, National marine resource management, and country
Director, Ministry of Agriculture and positions and plans in relation to existing and
Fisheries/MAF), and PNG (Mr. Rickson Lis, National upcoming international targets (e.g. 30 by 30
Fisheries Authority/NFA), and the National Focal target on biodiversity, etc.).

Prioritising Issues Together:
Causal Chain Analysis of Priority
Transboundary Issues in the ATS Region
By Cristine Ingrid Narcise
Overfishing, habitat loss and the effects of climate and biodiversity decline (15 September) and
change together pose a major threat to a unsustainable fisheries (22 September).
significant portion of marine species in the Arafura
With the facilitation of the Regional Transboundary
and Timor Seas (ATS) region. In response, regional
Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) Consultant, Mr. Matthew
cooperation and transboundary management of
Fox, the CCA workshops refined key elements of
marine megafauna, vital ecosystems and
the identified priority transboundary issues in
economically significant fish species are sorely
three different areas, namely unsustainable
needed. In respect to the unique circumstances of
fisheries; ecosystem, habitat and biodiversity
each ATS country, ATSEA-2 decided to conduct a
decline; and pollution of marine and coastal
series of workshops to better understand marine
environments. Further analyses on the issues were
and coastal status, causes and impacts.
also performed during the CCA workshops to
Based on the identified preliminary list of priority reveal root causes, direct and indirect drivers, and
transboundary environmental issues for the ATS ecological and socioeconomic impacts.
region from the Regional Working Group (RWG)
A final workshop was held on 29 September to
Kick-Off Workshop, the RWG engaged in a series of
allow for review and refinement of the draft CCA
Causal Chain Analysis (CCA) workshops throughout
outputs by the RWG and to discuss initial strategic
September 2022. The workshops were conducted
actions and recommendations for addressing the
online and focused on three selected priority
identified priority transboundary issues.
issues: marine pollution (8 September), ecosystem

The RWG members were joined in the CCA Considering the recommendations from the
workshops by representatives of the National RSC, the draft Updated ATS TDA will be
Project Directors, National Coordination Units, completed and disseminated to the NWG
National TDA Consultants and the ATSEA-2 members for review in national and regional
Regional Project Management Unit, led by Dr. TDA validation workshops, to be conducted
Handoko Adi Susanto, ATSEA-2 Regional from December 2022 to February 2023, after
Project Manager. which, a refined version of the document will be
submitted to the RSC for final review. Final
The results of the CCA workshops will be completion of Updated ATS TDA is targeted for
consolidated into a Causal Chain Analysis Report the end of March 2023.
that will inform the draft Updated ATS TDA. The
CCA Report will be presented to the 4th ATSEA-2 ATSEA-2 is the second phase of the Arafura &
Regional Steering Committee (RSC) Meeting, to Timor Seas Ecosystem Action (ATSEA)
be held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Program; a regional partnership involving the
from 2–3 November 2022. This will provide governments of Indonesia, Timor-Leste and
confirmation of the priority transboundary Papua New Guinea, with the support of the
issues identified. Australian Government. Since its inception in
2019, the Program has been working to
The CCA workshops were a continuation of improve the quality of life of people in the
national and regional TDA consultation ATS region through a combination of
meetings, aimed at reviewing the draft country restoration, conservation and sustainable
synthesis reports together with the ATS TDA- management of marine-coastal ecosystems.
SAP National Working Groups (NWGs). ATSEA-2 is committed to safeguarding the
Collectively, they will address any outstanding livelihoods and prosperity of coastal people,
gaps or issues in the drafts. particularly in its transboundary areas,
through the implementation of sustainable
integrated concepts.

Giving Voices to Stakeholders:
ATSEA-2 Creative Writing Training
By Ni Luh Putu Yulia Dewi
In order to raise awareness of important issues The previous session in the creative writing
and impact policy, sharing information is training series was conducted on 13 August 2021,
essential. Information is the bridge between which covered a range of techniques, structures,
decision makers, researchers and community approaches and styles for journalistic writing. The
members. For ATSEA-2, it also enhances the second session, like its predecessor, included a
visibility, understanding and impact of projects. broad range of tips, examples of best practice
and immersive workshop activities, during which
In line with ATSEA-2 goals to improve the
participants were supported and encouraged to
dissemination of project information, the
hone their skills.
Regional Project Management Unit (RPMU)
hosted a second virtual training session on The training was led by Chris Alexander, an
Effective Article Writing for RPMU and National experienced sustainability journalist and creative
Coordination Unit staff from Indonesia, Timor- consultant based in Indonesia, who specialises in
Leste and Papua New Guinea on Monday, 12 marine conservation. He began the training by
September 2022. splitting participants into pairs in breakout rooms,
where they were tasked with interviewing their
Held online via Zoom, a key topic of this training
colleagues. This helped to break the ice, while
session was how to interview, photograph and
also eliciting some of the interview skills that
otherwise consult local stakeholders in the course
participants would go on to develop later.
of ATSEA-2 operations, to ensure that their voices
are heard, their experiences valued and their Next, Mr. Alexander recapped some important
stories shared with a wider audience. takeaways from the previous training with the
participants, most of whom were present at the

first session. He elicited examples from them to articles, such as policy explanation, opinion,
about techniques they remembered and advocacy, aspirations, challenges, successes and
encouraged them to share how these skills have plans for the future.
since helped them to write more effective,
When it comes to telling the stories of local
descriptive and better-structured articles on
stakeholders, Mr. Alexander shared a golden rule
behalf of ATSEA-2.
with the participants: “show don’t tell,” which
A key aspect of ATSEA-2 articles that has hitherto essentially means letting the evidence – such as
been underrepresented is the perspectives of primary source material – speak for itself. “It’s a
local stakeholders. While many project team lot more impactful if you can show readers what
members have a solid background in technical the issue is and demonstrate to them why it
writing, many are less experienced with interview matters to local people,” he added.
techniques, journalism and storytelling from a
Direct quotations are a useful way to illustrate
more personal perspective. It was these gaps that
these issues and personalise them, by giving a
the creative writing training set out to bridge,
voice to stakeholders and allowing them to share
with practical examples of how, when, where and
their stories. Trainees learned a number of
why to conduct interviews with local people, and
journalistic techniques for integrating these
then provided practical solutions for integrating
quotations into articles, while also supporting
these responses more effectively into articles.
them with evidence such as quantitative data.
Content of the training included the pre-, during
The training session, which ran for almost three
and post-interview phases, covering everything
hours, provided participants with lots of
from planning and appointments, to research,
opportunities to develop their skills and relate
interviewee selection and preparation of
what they had learned back to their ongoing
questions that are supportive of article topics and
projects. Many were eager to begin collecting and
ATSEA-2 agendas. These statements and
integrating quotations into their existing articles;
testimonies can be obtained from a mix of fishers,
one of the ATSEA-2 members had already drafted
government officials, prominent local leaders,
an article with some quotations from key
project personnel, experts, ATSEA-2 colleagues,
stakeholders which focused on marine pollution
customary leaders, Indigenous Peoples and Local
in Kupang, Indonesia. The training session helped
Communities (IPLCs) and various other people
them to personalise this article and make it a
whose experience and expertise are relevant to
more impactful representation of the issues and
the project.
their impact on local people.
Training included practice sessions for interview
The training provided a useful step forward in the
techniques, such as the use of follow-up
ongoing development of ATSEA-2 members,
questions to elicit more detail from subjects.
helping them to increase the representation of
Participants learned how to avoid misquoting
key stakeholders in their writing. ATSEA-2 will
interviewees, by recording the interview and
continue striving to improve the dissemination of
taking notes on the salient points raised in
information in the ATS region, while providing a
discussion. They also learned how to steer
platform through which our stakeholders can
conversations towards issues that can be relevant
share their messages.

A Voyage of Discovery: Exploring
the Underwater Beauty of Betano
Image Credit: Marthen Welly/CTC for the ATSEA-2 Project

By Dominica Paula Jeronimo Guterres
Technical Staff of GDFAMR
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
Timor-Leste
It was late at night, and my mind was racing. I

couldn’t stop wondering about what to
expect on my upcoming adventure. Existing
research on the Manufahi waters is very
limited, but one thing is known about Betano:
the area is home to saltwater crocodiles. The
coastline is relatively flat with sandy beaches,
coastal shrubs and some mangroves further
to the east. It was from this mysterious
landscape that I was about to begin my
exploration voyage.
The Directorate General of Fisheries,
Aquaculture and Marine Resources of the
Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery (MAF) of
Timor-Leste assigned me to join a team of
marine biologist experts from the Coral
Triangle Centre (CTC) for a marine rapid
assessment in the coastal area of Betano
Village in the southwest of Manufahi
Municipality. This assessment forms part of
wider ATSEA-2 efforts to collect biophysical
and socio-economic baseline data for
designing a new Marine Protected Area (MPA)
in Manufahi Municipality (Betano-Klakuk).

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 Nevertheless, the work must continue. Diving
with an Open Water Diving License from the deeper into the bottom of the sea, I was
Association of Diving School (ADS) International. mesmerised by the dense, strong and healthy
As a fresh graduate from the Department of corals. I felt like I was gliding through a beautiful
Marine Science of Udayana University, I found this underwater garden as I carefully laid the
opportunity too good to pass up. So early on the transect tape. I soon found myself surrounded
next day, 14 March, we set off to Betano Village by a school of humphead parrotfish as they
from Dili. After six hours of road trip up and around munched their way through the reef, which was
the mountains, we finally reached the coast of a breath-taking experience.
Betano with its long sweeping black sand beaches
As I was busy maintaining my buoyancy, stretching
and heavy waves.
the measuring tapes and fighting against the
The sea on the south coast is famous for its fierce strong currents, I suddenly noticed a reef trench
waves and very strong underwater current. that appeared to be crocodile pathway. I was
Therefore, before we started the underwater captivated by the view, since this was my first time
exploration to collect data, the local community seeing such a trench. At the same, I was wary of
performed a traditional ritual to ask for our safety. any crocodiles lurking in the shadows.
I was deeply impressed with how the local
Overall, the feeling when we completed the
community cultivates a sacred appreciation of
marine rapid assessment was one of pure
nature. It somehow helped me to consciously
exhilaration. The fact that these dives are scientific
make a connection with the sea.
and will be instrumental in the design of a new
The data collection process was carried out by MPA in Betano-Klakuk area is a major reason why
diving at seven points and at two depths, of three I’m glad to be involved. The experience of
and 10 metres, along the coast of Betano for a participating in this project is etched in my memory
total of three days. The rough seas took a toll on and I will always cherish it.
both my physical and mental health; on the second
day, I was hanging over the side of the boat before
diving, seasick.

“I was mesmerised
by the dense,
strong and healthy
corals”
A reef trench, which acts

as a pathway for saltwater
crocodiles.
Photo by: Marthen Welly/CTC for
the ATSEA-2 Project

New Study Identifies 14 Marine

Pollution Hotspots in Timor-Leste
By Dwi Aryo Tjiptohandono
A recent study on marine and land-based pollution

on the Southern coast of Timor-Leste found 14
hotspots with severe pollution loads. The study calls
for urgent action to prioritise pollution control plans
in order to protect the country's marine resources; a
key source of food, livelihoods and jobs for the
millions of people who depend on tourism, fisheries
and the ocean economy.
The study, entitled ‘Marine and Land-Based
Pollution on the Southern Coast of Timor-Leste’ is
the first to survey and collect marine debris from
four municipalities along the southern coast. It
forms part of the ATSEA-2 Project and builds on the
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) and
Strategic Action Plan (SAP), conducted with UNDP
Timor-Leste support.
The study identifies that most of the hotspots are
close to the mouths or estuaries of rivers as they
enter the sea. It highlights the growing concerns
that pollution from sedimentation, plastic waste,
and derelict fishing gear has been destroying marine
habitats (corals, mangroves, and seagrass) and
Image Credit: Chris Alexander for the ATSEA-2 Project
endangering marine life.

An aerial view of a river mouth near Covalima in Timor-Leste; a marine debris hotspot, where sediment flows into the sea (source: Google Satellite
Basemap, August 2021)
Timor-Leste has a coastline of 2,538km with a daily entire southern coast, which can include oil and gas
plastic waste generation of approximately 68.4 leakage prevention and mitigation measures.
tonnes (t). An estimated 56.6t are mismanaged
Education and public awareness are also pivotal in
daily and are predicted to enter the marine
targeting hotspots areas in waste reduction and
environment through release from uncontained
waste disposal. Since 2021, the Ministry of
disposal sites or by direct littering. Approximately
Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and UNDP Timor-
20,690t of plastic waste were released into the
Leste as the National Coordination Unit for the
waters around Timor-Leste in 2010. If not
ATSEA-2 Project have been working with local
addressed, this amount is expected to rise to
communities at Uma Boco Village in the Barique
64,205t by 2025 (Jenna et al., 2015).
through training on plastic waste management at
Pedro dos Reis, who is the Minister of Agriculture the household level. Mr. Elidio de Araujo, who is
and Fisheries (MAF) of the Republic Democratic of State Secretary of Fisheries said that “this training
Timor-Leste, highlighted in his foreword to the helps us to learn about the waste that destroys the
study that the results confirm marine and land- ecosystem on land and at sea, teaching us how to
based pollution is a threat to biological diversity, transform waste into materials that can be reused in
which coastal communities rely heavily upon for our daily needs and can increase our income.”
sustenance. This hotspot report on marine and land-
The ATSEA-2 Project covers the five priority
based pollution provides a guide for the
transboundary environmental problems identified
development of various sectors that are
by the TDA: (i) unsustainable fisheries and decline
interdependent within the framework of integrated
and loss of living coastal and marine resources; (ii)
coastal management (ICM).
modification, degradation and loss of coastal and
To help tackle the growing threat to the Timor Sea, marine habitats; (iii) marine and land-based
it is recommended that waste management and pollution; (iv) decline and loss of threatened and
pollution control plans are developed by each migratory species; and (v) mitigating the impacts of
municipality, to be built into their ICM plans. An climate change on the ATS, by removing key
overarching ICM plan can also be formulated for the barriers to sustainable management of the region.

Image Credit: ATSEA-2 Project
Local Fishers Helping to Develop a South

Fly Fisheries Management Plan
By Joe Kiningi
In August of this year, the ATSEA-2 Project habitats and ecosystems, and the use of various
journeyed with the National Fisheries Authority to types of fishing gear. The plan was composed after
South Fly District in the Western Province of Papua a process of analysis in the ATS region, which
New Guinea. Their aim was to discuss fisheries included coastal villages in South Fly District. Each
management issues through public consultation, of the littoral nations of the ATS region took a
as part of wider plans to develop an artisanal certain approach to addressing issues like
fisheries management plan. Community overharvesting of fish stocks; habitat loss; illegal,
engagement and involvement are seen as crucial unregulated and unreported fishing (IUUF); land-
elements of this process. based pollution; and the effects of climate change.
Issues associated with climate have had a
The stakeholders of South Fly District were keen to
profound impact on coastal communities,
take part and contribute their experience to the
particularly in small islands and local economies
formulation of the management plan. They worked
around the world, such as the Western Province of
together with a team of specialists from the
Papua New Guinea.
National Fisheries Authority, Eco-Custodian
Advocates, and Conservation and Environment Other issues affecting marine resources are more
Protection Authority to discuss their respective measurable and can be tackled with local action.
views and concerns. One such issue was the IUUF and habitat loss can be minimised through
observation that current fisheries management the introduction of the artisanal fisheries
structure is geared towards the national level, management plan; to that end, South Fly
whereas the majority of fishers live in coastal and stakeholders were provided with basic information
rural areas. The artisanal fisheries management about approaches to the development of the plan,
plan can therefore help to bridge the gap between using a bottom-up approach to ensure coastal
national and community-based approaches. communities are empowered to act in marine
resources management.
The artisanal fisheries management plan sets out
to address the proper management of fish stocks,

Human activities are the main factors contributing species (e.g., jewfish, which is exploited for its
to loss and destruction of marine habitats, fish swim bladder). These coastal communities have
stocks and other marine resources. Stakeholders begun to experience a decline in certain fish
were keen to take a new approach to this issue populations; previously, they were able to catch
through the collaborative development of the fish in large numbers, but nowadays the size of
management plan. Existing laws were taken into their catch is dwindling.
consideration during the management draft, so
The consultation was a positive experience for
that fisheries management issues could be
the stakeholders. Many expressed their
addressed by the communities themselves. The
eagerness to see the draft plan finalised and
new plan is expected to greatly assist
developed into law, so that it can assist them in
stakeholders and coastal communities in
the management of their marine resources.
managing their marine resources effectively.
Penalties for non-compliance with the artisanal
The laws featured in the artisanal fisheries fisheries management plan will be similar to the
management plan draft are not exactly new – they existing village court penalties.
are already familiar to most members of the
The villagers from the coast of South Fly District,
communities. Here, bylaws have been put in place
along with the district fisheries officer and
that guide and protect individual fishing grounds –
provincial fisheries manager, expressed their
some areas along the coast have bylaws that allow
gratitude to ATSEA-2 for consulting them in the
fishers to catch certain sizes of fish, while other
draft process of the management plan. Special
communities have bylaws that restrict them from
thanks were given to the ATSEA-2 team under the
fishing during a certain period of time or within
National Fisheries Authority, the ECA executive
certain areas. Other villagers are subject to
director and the consultant engaged in drafting
restrictions on the gear they use. All such
the management plan. The CEPA team were also
information was collected during the consultation.
recognised for the guidance provided throughout
In addition, stakeholders identified new and the consultation process.
emerging threats to their fishing grounds.
The artisanal fisheries management plan for the
Settlements within the Daru Island area were
South Fly district is currently in its final review
found to be catching fish with unregulated
stage, as findings from the public consultation
equipment, while illegal fish buyers were also
and stakeholder meeting are integrated into the
recruiting fishermen to harvest certain high-value
final draft.

EAFM Training in South Fly
Complements Customary Fisheries
Management Practices
By Kenneth Yhuanje
South Fly villagers in the western province of early, eager to begin the EAFM training. In PNG,
Papua New Guinea (PNG) have long understood something has to be critically important for
the importance of nature. To them, fish and people to turn up early for it.
marine resources are essential to livelihoods. A
“South Fly coastal villagers depend on fishing,”
recent training session provided by ATSEA-2
said Ms. Dainah Gigiba in her welcoming address
focused on using an Ecosystem Approach to
to the ATSEA-2 training team and participants
Fisheries Management (EAFM) to make this link
from the South Fly Fisheries Office. “This training
between fisheries and nature even clearer; special
will be very useful for the villagers to properly
focus on governance aspects helped to add
manage their fisheries resources,” she added.
structure, while also developing their
understanding of how natural resources can be In total there were 23 people who attended the
managed more effectively. training, four of whom were women. This group
included various fisheries managers and
The training team arrived at the venue at around
representatives from 12 South Fly villages,
8:00 a.m. on 29 August 2022 to set up, prior to the
Western Province fisheries, South Fly District
commencement of training at 9:00 a.m. They
fisheries, South Fly District courts, the National
were met by an enthusiastic group of well-
Fisheries Authority, the Conservation &
dressed men and women, who were the leaders
Environmental Protection Authority and ATSEA-2.
from various coastal villages; they had arrived

from 12 target villages in South Fly. Participants
were enthusiastic and actively involved in the
training, which included a number of group
activities that helped trainees to identify issues in
fisheries management, prioritise their goals and
establish a vision for future management. This
involved the identification of key objectives,
indicators, benchmarks and management actions.
In terms of governance, the villagers indicated
that they will develop committees as a way to
enforce compliance.
After the training, the participants expressed
their appreciation. Local government area
manager, Mr. Duobe Amura, was very emotional
when he said, “finally, we are getting the training
we have needed. Now we can try to manage our
own fisheries resources.”
Concurrent with the EAFM training was the public
consultation on the South Fly Artisanal Fishery
Management Plan, aspects of which were
discussed as examples in the EAFM training. This
consultation concluded the consultations on the
management plan, which were held with a range
of stakeholders. The plan will subsequently be
updated with feedback from these consultations
and then finalised. It will then be endorsed by the
Western Province and South Fly District Fisheries
South Fly coastal villages depend almost entirely authorities, before being authorised by the
on the sea. They harvest marine resources for National Fisheries Authority. Management
food, income and bartering with inland measures of the authorised plan will be enacted
communities. As these resources have been in the Fore-coast Local Level Government as an
overharvested, with added pressure from Illegal, LLG law. The LLG law is then enforceable by the
Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing, the village courts within the district.
strain on fisheries resources has become ATSEA-2 is the 2nd phase of the GEF-financed,
increasingly apparent. UNDP-supported Arafura and Timor Seas
The villagers have noticed a decline in their Ecosystem Action (ATSEA) program. Covering
fisheries resources, but most have been unable to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea and
do anything about it; there is precious little Australia, this 5-year project supports the
outside help available to assist them in their implementation of the following governance and
fisheries management. Some villages, such as environmental objectives of the ATS regional
Sigabaduru, have imposed their own restrictions, Strategic Action Program: (i) strengthening of
banning the use of nets to catch jewfish for their ATS regional governance; (ii) recovering and
swim bladders – only hook and line fishing has sustaining fisheries; (iii) restoring degraded
been permitted. Villagers already see a clear need habitats for sustainable provision of ecosystem
for fisheries management, but are unsure of how services; (iv) reducing land-based and marine
this works in practice. sources of pollution; (v) protecting key marine
species; and (vi) adaptation to the impacts of
To bridge these knowledge gaps and offer climate change.
practical solutions, ATSEA-2 conducted the EAFM
training among fisheries managers and leaders


Exploring
Transboundary
Issues With
Communities in
Merauke
By Ketut Listyani Sri Rejeki
Thick clouds veiled the sky and drizzle was just

starting to come down when the Kumbe-
Merauke crossing sign came into view. Kumbe is
one of the coastal villages in south-eastern
Merauke, Papua. It takes 2-3 hours to get there
from Merauke sub-district, passing through
damaged and potholed village roads – a journey
which is challenging, but no less enjoyable.
When we arrived, the ship was already waiting at
the dock. It was able to carry up to nine people,
along with a motorbike. With mangroves
unfolding along the coast and waves rippling
gently towards our boat, the trip felt short.

The fishing activities are quite lively in Kumbe.
Local fishers welcomed us with an enthusiastic
greeting and open arms when we met at their
place to conduct the interview. This interview was
aimed at gathering ecological, governance and
socio-economic data regarding transboundary
issues in Merauke. The locals revealed that, in
addition to ships from Kumbe and Merauke, there
were also a lot of vessels from Maluku, Java and
Makassar. The local fishermen stated that a
number of shrimp ships from other provinces and
districts docked in Kumbe too. Several fishermen
agreed that an increased number of vessels in
Kumbe could increase fishing competition, but
several others stated they are not really affected
by the conditions.
“Of course, the number of ships increases from
time to time, but that (is normally) shrimp ships,”
explained one of the fishermen, who added that
these are not their usual fishing grounds, so they
only tend to dock here. “That is not particularly a
problem for our fishing activity, but that would be
a problem if they started to throw their rubbish
into the water,” he added.
Image Credit: Ketut Listyani Sri Rejeki for the ATSEA-2 Project
The local fishermen are also used to venturing
beyond Merauke and even, in rare cases, across
the country boundary. One of them shared a story
The atmosphere in the village was relatively quiet about how he once went shark fishing over the
when we arrived. Only a few people were waiting Australian border. He claimed that, since the
for the ship to Merauke, along with a few kids shark habitat was near Australia, he did it
walking home from school. Livelihoods of the inadvertently, but his action was not without
Kumbe villagers are primarily dependent on repercussions; hundreds of shark fishermen were
fishing and marine resources, which means most apprehended by Australian patrols and sent back
people are out at sea from the break of day to Indonesia, while their ships were burned in
onwards. The majority of fishermen in Kumbe Australia. After the incident, local fishermen
focus on catching snapper, and they might go became more cautious of their fishing activities,
fishing for weeks or even months at a time, especially in terms of the routes they take.
relying on the supplies they brought with them
from the land. The Kumbe fishers suggested that illegal fishing is
caused by a lack of fishery community
Kumbe village is also known as a vessel management in their village; a lot of fishers have
manufacturing village, which is indicated by the not been recorded here, which has made it harder
number of shipbuilders we met along the way. for fishers to raise their issues with the local
Their customers not only came from Kumbe, but authorities. Additionally, the disorganisation of
also from various other regions in Merauke. the community themselves makes it challenging
Different kinds of vessels can be found here, to provide assistance and support.
including traditional wooden ships and 30 GT
vessels (although we did not find more than 30
GT vessels manufactured in the vicinity).

Image Credit: Ketut Listyani Sri Rejeki for the ATSEA-2 Project
It was a great experience to hold such an open

discussion with the community; to learn their
story, understand their concerns and recognise
their needs. A long-term commitment will be
needed to address the current issues from a
community, ecological and governance
perspective; however, community involvement
offers an essential first step towards sustainable
development in Merauke.
The ATSEA-2 project is working together with
the Centre for Coastal and Marine Resources
Studies – IPB University (CCMRS-IPB) as the
national TDA (Transboundary Diagnostic
Analysis) consultant for Indonesia. Together,
these organisations have conducted a primary
data assessment survey to identify issues and
opportunities for development in the Arafura
and Timor Seas. The implementation is expected
to balance both scientific inputs and community
aspirations in Merauke.

Meet the Women Fishers of Papua

By Chris Alexander
“I’ve been fishing since I was 17 years old,” says (snapper), kurau (threadfin) and udang
Mama Elizabeth Limai, her lips stained red with (shrimp),” she explains. Today, a bundle of
betel nut and her forehead beaded with sweat glassfish hangs from her shoulder, while her
from a hard day’s work. “I normally catch ikan bright-eyed daughter, Mariana, stands nervously
kaca (glassfish), gulama (white croaker), kakap by her side.

“It’s getting more
difficult to catch fish
nowadays, because the
beach here has become
dirty and polluted”
Elizabeth is one of many small-scale fishers who Elizabeth and Chris have been fishing this way
live and work in the village of Kumbe in South for the past five years. But even in that short
Papua. Together with her husband, Chris, she space of time, they’ve seen changes. “It’s
wakes up early each morning to fish with getting more difficult to catch fish nowadays,
homemade nets on the beach and in shallow because the beach here has become dirty and
outlets along the coast. On a typical day, they polluted,” explains Elizabeth. She has noticed
can bring in around 10 kilos of fresh fish, which her catch getting smaller and smaller, as the fish
they sell locally, walking door to door along the are scared away by coastal pollution. “It didn’t
main road of their village. used to be like this; we need to clean up the
beaches here, so the fish will return.”

Climate Change and Poverty: Critical

Transboundary Challenges in Rote Ndao
By Ezekiel Benjamin Taffarel Marpaung & Dwi Aryo Tjiptohandono
Marine resources make vital contributions to effects of climate change could be devastating
food security, livelihoods and the economic to vulnerable coastal and marine areas, as well
development of coastal communities. Climate as to the function and structure of their
change is expected to have profound effects on ecosystems. Left unchecked, climate change
the status and distribution of coastal and could push more and more people into a
oceanic habitats, the fish and invertebrates they deepening cycle of poverty, fragility and
support and, as a result, the communities and vulnerability over the next 10 years.
industries that depend on these resources for
One of the 92 outer islands of Indonesia, the
survival. To better understand these issues,
District of Rote Ndao is located near the
ATSEA-2 conducted primary data collection to
transboundary waters of neighbouring
address the priority transboundary problems
countries, including Australia and Timor-Leste. A
identified in the Transboundary Diagnostic
recent survey on transboundary issues
Analysis (TDA) for the ATS region.
confirmed that Rote Ndao is particularly
Coastal fishing communities rely on goods and vulnerable to land degradation, experiencing
services provided by marine ecosystems to meet more extreme droughts, floods and other
their social and economic needs. However, the impacts caused by climate change.

Image Credit: Ezekiel Benjamin Taffarel Marpaung / ATSEA-2 Project
In Rote Ndao, ATSEA-2 has been working to build The team visited Landuti, Oeseli, Oelua, Tolama
resilience to climate change by developing home and Papela Village. Initial findings from the data
industries and alternative livelihoods. This collection process revealed that coastal
includes producing soap from seaweed and communities in Rote Ndao are affected by extreme
coffee from mangrove fruit and seaweed. There climate change; around 4,289 households have
is also a plan for future development that been hit hard by the impacts of climate change,
involves making seaweed-based noodles and with examples of stunting and extreme poverty
toothpaste; alternative livelihoods, which have widespread throughout the region.
the potential to improve residents' economic
In spite of these challenges, many women in Rote
situation in Rote Ndao Regency.
remain economically resistant, largely because of
The ATS region is extremely rich in living and seaweed. Other potential sources of livelihood,
non-living marine resources, including major such as tourism and plantations, have not yet been
fisheries and oil and gas reserves. Significantly, developed; nevertheless, women in Rote appeared
the region exhibits high productivity that motivated to develop and explore the potential of
sustains both small- and large-scale fisheries, these alternative livelihoods.
including several high-value shared
transboundary fish stocks. To identify As part of adaptive management cycles, ATSEA-2
supports updating of the TDA guided by results
transboundary priority environmental concerns,
and recommendations from the Strategic Action
their direct and indirect drivers, and impacts on
Program (SAP) and National Action Program
ecosystem services and human well-being, the
(NAP) implementation assessments. This process
GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA ATSEA-2 Project
is informed and guided by up-to-date information
commissioned the Centre for Coastal and Marine
Resources Studies - IPB University to conduct on governance, ecological and socio-economic
primary data collection from 18 to 25 June, 2022. conditions, priority issues at the national and
The ultimate aim was to update the regional levels, and relevant international
Transboundary TDA in Rote Ndao. commitments and targets. With the TDA as the
basis, the objective is also to present practical and
implementable proposals for consideration during
development of the ATS SAP.

Image Credit: Environment and Forestry Service Forestry Province of NTT
Funding for Oil Spill Preparedness in the

Timor Sea, East Nusa Tenggara
By Khaifin
The Deputy Governor of East Nusa Tenggara Christian Siagiaan, along with the Head of the
(NTT) Province, Josef Adreanus Nae Soi, has Environment and Forestry Office of NTT
offered his support to budget allocation for Province. As the team leader, Ondy informed the
increasing the capacity of the marine pollution Deputy Governor of NTT of activities that have
response team, with the addition of new been carried out by the Marine Pollution and
members. The move is part of wider efforts to Environmental Damage Response Team, one of
mitigate the risk of oil spills and lessen their which was the ‘Regional Exchange on Oil Spill
impact through training and other activities. The Preparedness and Response Workshop’, held in
new stance was confirmed during an official Singapore in August 2022. In this activity, many
meeting held on Thursday, 22 September 2022 in lessons were learned by representatives from
the NTT governor's meeting room. Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea, while new
The meeting was led by the Head of the Marine opportunities for cooperation in responding to
Pollution and Damage Response Team, Ondy oil spill pollution between countries also
emerged as a result of the event.

The meeting in NTT was an opportunity to Nevertheless, in the context of preparing a

confirm that the team has completed a disaster budget for oil spills, the central
preliminary study, entitled ‘Funding for the government still needs support. The disaster
Countermeasures of Oil Spill Pollution in the funding model is considered feasible at the
Sea’. They also asked the Deputy Governor of regional level, and can also be used to build
NTT to provide further direction for this study. capacity at the provincial level in support of
Moreover, Ondy invited representatives of the prevention efforts. Moving forwards, A more
contract partners of the Ministry of Marine detailed discussion related to disaster funding
Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) through the concepts needs to be scheduled, to agree on a
ATSEA-2 Program, namely PT BMT as a partner of model that is compatible with regional capacity
the Marine Pollution and Damage Response and can be centralised and adopted at the
Team, to submit the results of the study. regional level.
PT BMT provided four options as In July 2021, the NTT Provincial Government took
recommendations for consideration by the NTT a lead role in protecting the marine
Provincial Government, which included routine environment, taking steps to prevent, prepare
funding for training and emergency response or for and respond to oil spills. The Governor of NTT
preparedness. The four options were (1) a also issued Decree No. 260/2021 concerning the
disaster management fund, (2) a state budget Marine Pollution and Damage Response Team in
emergency fund, (3) an unexpected fund, and the Waters of NTT Province, which combines
(4) a grant fund. The Deputy Governor expressed cross-sectoral local government involvement
his support for the allocation of funds for with additional support from the relevant
training, but not for emergency response/ ministries. The MMAF, through the ATSEA-2
preparedness funds. Project, will continue to support this progress,
so that NTT Province can independently and
effectively respond to the threat of oil spill
pollution at sea.

Image Credit: Mikael Leuape/UNDP Indonesia for the ATSEA-2 Project
Oeseli Village Establishes Policies for

the Protection of Coastal Communities
By Mikael Leuape
The sea provides livelihoods for more than to increase community resilience and help local
140,000 people living in Rote Ndao. However, in people adapt to the impacts of global climate
the past two years, marine resources have been change. A Public consultation aimed to elicit
threatened by irresponsible fishing activities and inputs and suggestions to improve the
extreme weather related to climate change. To agreement, which will serve as a guide for the
build resilience, improve fishing practices and Village Consultative Body and the Village
mitigate the impacts of climate change, ATSEA-2 Apparatus when they allocate activities and
has been working with partners, officials and budgets for ICM.
local communities to establish integrated coastal
The public consultancy was held on 3 September
management in the region.
2022, at the Salom – Oeseli Church. A group of 35
ATSEA-2 teamed up with the Reef Check participants attended this activity, comprising 13
Indonesia Foundation (YRCI) and the community women and 22 men. They included representatives
of Oeseli Village to support the formulation of an of the Oeseli Village Apparatus and the Village
agreement between the Oeseli Village Deliberation Agency (BPD), along with the
Consultative Body and the Oeseli Village subdistrict head of southwest Rote and the
Apparatus. This agreement focuses on region’s police chief, the chief of military
integrated coastal management (ICM) as a way headquarters at the sub-district level, women’s

Image Credit: Mikael Leuape/UNDP Indonesia for the ATSEA-2 Project
representatives, community-based tourism group Oeseli village that have the potential to cause
(POKDARWIS) and various community-based resource damage, such as conducting fishing
surveillance groups (POKMASWAS). Other with toxic materials, dope, compressors, turtle
attendees included the head of the legal nets and fish bombs.’ This agreement was then
department and staff from the fisheries signed by the BPD and the Head of Oeseli
department at the local research and development Village – a momentous agreement witnessed by
agency (BAPELITBANG), along with personnel from all those present.
the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
Rote Ndao has the potential to develop marine
and other community representatives.
areas in an integrated manner. Various activities
During the public consultation, participants were can support the community as an effort to
actively engaged in the discussion. Mrs. Sofice overcome the impacts of climate change
Nenobano, one of the female representatives, adaptation and illegal fishing; with ICM, coastal
raised concerns that there were people who communities can use sustainable fisheries
caught fish using compressors and poison, which activities to build their resilience in the face of
damaged seaweed and seagrass. These resources uncertainties such as climate change, while also
are vital to the livelihoods of village women, as combatting illegal fishing. This policy formalises
they provide a primary source of income. With the commitment of local governments to
that in mind, she vociferously stated the continue supporting the management of coastal
importance of formulating strict regulations for areas in line with community aspirations.
the common good.
The action is also aligned with the objectives of
In response to the suggestion from Mrs. the ATSEA-2 Project to support coastal
Nenobano, participants at the meeting, together livelihoods by strengthening coordination
with the head of the legal department in the between policymakers and communities. ATSEA-
Rote Ndao regional government, agreed to 2 will continue working to improve the quality of
include this as one of the key points in the policy life of people living in the Arafura and Timor Seas
article. This is now written into Article 6, Points 1 region through a combination of restoration,
and 2, which ‘strictly prohibit the Oeseli village conservation and sustainable management of
community and/or people outside the village marine-coastal ecosystems.
from carrying out activities in the coastal area of

Synchronisation of Action Plans for

Responding to Marine Pollution in NTT
Province
By Khaifin
In July 2021, the Marine Pollution Handling Team In his opening remarks, he reiterated the
was formed by the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) importance of protecting the marine
Provincial Government, with support from the environment. He reminded all in attendance of
Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MAAF) the 2009 Montara oil spill disaster, and the need
and the ATSEA-2 Project. This has helped to prevent a reoccurrence of this event by
strengthen cross-institutional coordination whatever means necessary.
among government and non-government
This meeting activity also took an inventory of the
partners in NTT. To be successful in responding to
work programs of each agency and institution to
potential marine pollution disasters in the future,
ensure there is no overlapping of resources at the
this team will need to synchronise with existing
provincial level. The team members of the Marine
inter-agency programs, while also adapting to the
Pollution and Damage Management Team had
availability of resources and time commitments of
gathered to evaluate the action plan, which has
the parties involved.
been running for a period of one year (2021-2022),
On the morning on 19 July 2022, 48 participants so they could identify targets for implementation.
gathered in the meeting room of the Sotis Hotel. These can then be moved to the implementation
They included the Head of the Environment and and planning stage for the next year (2022-2023).
Forestry Office of NTT Province, Ondy Siagian, who
is also the Chief Executive of the Marine Pollution
and Damage Response Team.

Mrs. Sulastri Rasyid is the Head of the Control and Quick Response of Pollution and Damage to the
Protection Division of the NTT Department of Marine Environment; (3) the Working Group on
Environment and Forestry (DLHK). During the Laws and Crimes Related to Pollution and Damage
meeting she was instrumental in facilitating the to the Marine Environment; (4) the Working Group
process of evaluating the implementation of the on the Impact of Pollution and Damage to the
action plan for the period 2021-2022. She noted Marine Environment; and (5) the Community
that challenges related to limited access as a result Empowerment and Communication Working Group.
of the pandemic can be overcome by increasing
During this group discussion, several main
the capacity of members of the Marine Pollution
programs were identified, including routine
and Damage Response Team in preparedness for
training in responding to pollution in the port
oil spill events at sea.
area, which was carried out jointly by the
In order to build the capacity of team members, Harbourmaster Office and the Port Authority, the
activities carried out at the meeting included Maritime Security Agency and PT Pelindo;
training in the collection and management of data community service programs related to coastal
and information related to marine pollution; community empowerment, which is carried out
preparation of guidelines for collecting data and by all higher education institutions in NTT; and
information related to marine pollution, including community-based marine and fishery resource
economic, social and environmental data; oil spill monitoring programs implemented by the
emergency response communication training; Department of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. In
shoreline clean-up and assessment techniques addition, various planning activities will be
(SCAT Survey) training; development of a supported by the ATSEA-2 Project relating to
reporting system (hotline centre) for oil spill preparedness for responding to oil spills and early
accidents; simulation and monitoring training on warning systems for oil pollution at sea, as well as
early warning systems in Rote Ndao District; the preparation of contingency plan documents
socialisation of the early warning system in NTT at the provincial level.
Province; and the establishment of a monitoring,
There are at least six strategies outlined in the
reporting and early warning system for marine
action plan for responding to marine pollution in
pollution events at the provincial level in NTT.
NTT, with five strategies and a further 16 activities
The next part of the process involved program targeted for implementation in 2022. The
inventory for each agency and institution, which commitment of the province of NTT to become an
was discussed by dividing team members according area that is prepared for disasters against marine
to their role in the Working Group (Pokja). There are pollution needs to be supported by various
five working groups in the Marine Pollution and regional and national partners. The MMAF,
Damage Response Team, namely: (1) the Data and working through ATSEA-2, will continue to support
Information Working Group; (2) Working Group for this initiative.

Image Credit: "Blue Oil Spill" by arbyreed is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
Technical Consultation Guide to Oil

Spill Early Warning System in
Rote Ndao District
By Mikael Leuape
The Marine Pollution and Damage Response Team oil spill early warning system in Rote Ndao
in the Waters of Province of East Nusa Tenggara Regency. This system is part of wider efforts to
(NTT) recently carried out one of their work maintain the sustainability of marine resources,
programs, namely technical consultation on oil spill which are central to the lives and livelihoods of
early warning system guidelines in Rote Ndao people living in Rote Ndao Regency.
Regency. Prepared in collaboration with PT BMT
Sulastri Rasyid is the Secretary of the Marine
Indonesia, the guidelines outline procedures for
Pollution and Damage Response Team in the
reporting oil spill events by the community and the
Waters of NTT Province. She also gave a speech, in
subsequent response flow.
which she confirmed that the Provincial
On 31 August 2022, 37 participants attended a Government of NTT is committed to tackling
meeting held at the Graha Narwastu Ba'a Hall in pollution and damage to the marine environment.
Rote Ndao Regency. One of them was Untung Through the Marine Pollution and Damage
Harjito, a member of the Rote Ndao Regency Management Team, the NTT Provincial
Regional Secretariat, who was representing the Government will deal with oil spill pollution so that
Regent of Rote Ndao. He gave a speech to incidents such as the 2009 Montara oil spill, which
officially open the event, in which he expressed his caused tremendous damage to local ecosystems
appreciation to the NTT Provincial Government for and destroyed livelihoods based on seaweed
its commitment to Rote Ndao Regency through farming, do not reoccur.
the Marine Pollution and Environmental Damage
Management Team, specifically in developing an

The presentation of the guidelines for an oil spill community-based surveillance groups
early warning system in Rote Ndao Regency was (Pokmaswas) in early warning systems.
delivered directly by Salman Fariz, who is a
representative of PT BMT Indonesia. In his Before the technical consultation came to a close,
presentation, he stated that the purpose of this the Marine Pollution and Environmental Damage
guide is to provide direction to the local team (Tier- Management Team reiterated its commitment to
1) when an oil spill occurs, to establish lines of develop an oil spill early warning system in Rote
communication and coordinate with the local Ndao Regency. Moving forward, this will include
team; moreover, it can help to clarify the duties training on reporting and early handling of oil spills
and responsibilities of the local team, while also to village-level communities in Rote Ndao Regency,
identifying priority issues when an oil spill occurs. by no later than December 2022. The commitment
of the province of NTT to become a disaster-
After the presentation, participants offered responsive area for marine pollution needs to be
feedback and asked questions related to the supported by various regional and national
guidelines. These inputs and suggestions related to partners. Working alongside the Ministry of Marine
(1) the Regional Disaster Management Agency Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), the ATSEA-2
(BPBD) and the National Search and Rescue Program will continue to support this process.
Agency (BASARNAS) of Rote Ndao Regency being
the first line of defence in the event of a disaster
related to oil and gas; (2) the need to complete
facilities and infrastructure for handling oil spills,
which are currently not available in Rote Ndao
Regency; (3) the need for training related to oil
spill pollution preparedness among local
communities; (4) the need to create a system
whereby polluters are required to immediately
notify the authorities in the event of an oil spill, so
that the incident can be handled promptly; and (5)
the importance of traditional leaders and

Image Credit: Sila Kartika Sari/UNDP Indonesia for the ATSEA-2 Project
Introducing STELINA: A New Era for

Traceability in the ATS
By Sila Kartika Sari
Traceability is a tool to ensure traded fish come established to track and trace information supply
from legal fishing activities and healthy, chains from pre-production through to production,
sustainable stocks with quality assurance. In distribution, processing and marketing.
global trade, traceability processes are a
From 6-8 September 2022, the Directorate
fundamental requirement applied by Regional
General of Marine and Fisheries Product
Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs)
Competitiveness (Ditjen PDSPKP), with support
and countries importing fishery products. In
from the ATSEA-2 Project, held a workshop on
fishery industries such as the tuna trade, RFMOs
STELINA socialisation at the fisheries processing
require documentation of catches for the tuna
unit (UPI) in Dobo, located in the Aru Islands
trade through the Catch Documentation Scheme
Regency of Maluku in Indonesia. This three-day
(CDS), Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Big
workshop was attended by a total of 38 people,
Eye Statistical Document and the International
representing 13 UPI, along with two fishermen’s
Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic
groups and various local stakeholders from the
Tunas (ICCAT) Swordfish.
fisheries and marine sector. Various speakers
STELINA is an acronym used to describe participated in the workshop, such as Mr. Harlin,
Indonesia’s national fish traceability and logistics the Mapping and Monitoring Group Coordinator
system (Sistem Ketelusuran dan Logistik Ikan of Ditjen PDSPKP; Mr. A.L.O Tabela, Head of Aru
Nasional) – an integrated electronic system Archipelago Fisheries Agency; and two trainers
developed by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and from Ditjen PDSPKP.
Fisheries (MMAF) under Ministry Regulation
PERMENKP No. 29/2021. The system has been

STELINA website and tested it directly at one of
the UPI's offices.
On the third day of the workshop, PDSPKP
MMAF, ATSEA-2 and a fisheries facilitator officer
held an internal discussion to develop a roadmap
for the implementation of STELINA by UPI and
with direct supervision and facilitation from the
ATSEA-2 Project. This step was intended to
strengthen and support better fisheries data
collection, linked to traceability and trade.
As importing countries, European Union members
require a catch certificate (Sertifikat Hasil
Tangkapan Ikan/SHTI) for all imported fishery
products. Indonesia itself has implemented these
requirements since 2010, by making regulations
and assigning validation officers to designated
fishing ports. Meanwhile, the United States
Government, through its National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has
announced that it has set regulations on importing
seafood products through the Seafood Import
Monitoring Program (SIMP) policy. SIMP is a
traceability program that stipulates requirements
"Aru archipelago has great fisheries resources to for importers related to licensing, data reporting
develop its sustainability, but the catch data and recordkeeping for the importation of priority
records that we get are not well-documented," fish and fishery products (formerly called at-risk
said A.L.O Tabela, Head of the Fisheries Agency of species) that have been identified as being related
Aru Archipelago regency, Maluku, in his opening to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU)
remarks for STELINA socialisation on 6 September fishing and seafood fraud. This also presents an
2022 in Dobo. According to his organisation, Aru opportunity for the MMAF to improve its own
produced more than 39,000 tonnes of fisheries traceability system. STELINA offers a valuable way
products in 2021 – a decline compared to 2020 to connect with a traceability information system
(55,590 tonnes). However, it is believed that the and partner countries for exporting Indonesian
actual amount produced is bigger than what has fishery products.
been reported to date. The initiative aligns with the ATSEA-2 Project
On the first day of the workshop, Mr. Harlin implementation on improving Large Marine
presented the background of STELINA, its Ecosystems (LME) and their capacity to sustain,
importance to Indonesia's fisheries sector and provision, regulate and support ecosystem
benefits for the fisheries processing unit. services. The Project has been working to
"STELINA will improve product competitiveness in improve quality of life for people in the Arafura
worldwide markets as well as the availability of and Timor Seas (ATS) region through a
STELINA processing reports (LSP) as traceability combination of restoration, conservation and
documents required by exporters, in this case, the sustainable management of marine-coastal
UPI itself," said Mr. Harlin. ecosystems. ATSEA-2 is committed to
safeguarding the livelihoods and prosperity of
On the second day, participants visited one of the coastal people, particularly in its transboundary
UPI offices to perform data input in real time, as areas, through the implementation of sustainable
fish were unloaded from the fleet. During the integrated concepts.
workshop, the UPI members were also trained to
input daily catch and processing data to the


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JULY – SEPTEMBER 2022

ATSEA’S QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

Improving the Management of Sea Turtles

ATS Countries Endorse

Image Credit: UNDP Timor-Leste for the ATSEA-2 Project

1 | ATSEA Q4 Newsletter | October – December 2021

1 | ATSEA Q4 Newsletter | October – December 2021

At the regional level, ATSEA has been INDONESIA

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 2

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 2

3 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 4

5 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

Dr Handoko was speaking at a virtual three-day

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 6

7 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 8

9 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 10

11 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 12

13 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 14

Image Credit: Marthen Welly/CTC for the ATSEA-2 Project

15 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

It was late at night, and my mind was racing. I

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 16

17 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

A reef trench, which acts

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 18

New Study Identifies 14 Marine

A recent study on marine and land-based pollution

19 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 20

Local Fishers Helping to Develop a South

21 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 22

23 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 24

25 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

Thick clouds veiled the sky and drizzle was just

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 26

27 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

It was a great experience to hold such an open

Image Credit: Chris Alexander for the ATSEA-2 Project

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 28

Meet the Women Fishers of Papua

29 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 30

Climate Change and Poverty: Critical

31 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 32

Funding for Oil Spill Preparedness in the

33 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

The meeting in NTT was an opportunity to Nevertheless, in the context of preparing a

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 34

Oeseli Village Establishes Policies for

35 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 36

Synchronisation of Action Plans for

37 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022

ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022 | 38

Technical Consultation Guide to Oil

39 | ATSEA Q3 Newsletter | July – September 2022