ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – After five years of implementation, the Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase II (ATSEA-2) project officially closed with great achievements.
This cross-border program involving Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea and Australia has succeeded in strengthening cooperation for regional governance, conserving biodiversity and improving the welfare of coastal communities in the Arafura and Timor Sea (ATS) regions.
As a strategic program with funding of US$9.7 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), ATSEA-2 has three main focuses, namely cross-border governance, ecosystem restoration and community empowerment.
Head of the Indonesian Maritime and Fisheries Extension Center who also serves as National Project Director (NPD) for ATSEA-2, Yayan Hikmayani, emphasized that ATSEA-2 has become a catalyst for fisheries management, marine ecosystem protection, and climate change mitigation in the Arafura Sea and Timor Sea.
“This program is in line with Indonesia’s Blue Economy Policy and contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “This effort underscores the importance of cooperative synergy between ATS countries to create healthy, resilient and productive Arafura and Timor Seas,” said Yayan, quoted on Tuesday, December 31 2024.
According to him, the ATSEA-2 program has had a real impact, especially in implementation locations, both in protecting ecosystems and strengthening the capacity of coastal communities.
“With the end of the ATSEA-2 Project in December 2024, and as a result of the Sydney Declaration which was attended directly by the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the end is just a phase. ATSEA will still run and has been transformed into a program and has a regional governance mechanism ,” explained Yayan.
It was further stated that with an ecosystem-based approach, ATSEA-2 offers a solution that can be replicated in Indonesia, especially in locations with similar characteristics, such as outer islands and border areas. This approach involves cross-sector collaboration, strengthening community capacity, utilizing technology, and cross-border management to create a sustainable impact.
“This program does not only focus on ecological protection, but also on improving community welfare and strengthening Indonesia’s strategic position in border areas. With its success, ATSEA-2 is expected to be an inspiration for other regions in Indonesia and at the global level in sustainable management of marine resources ,” explained Yayan.
Iwan Kurniawan, UNDP Nature Climate Energy Program Manager said the same thing. It said that UNDP brings expertise in integrating conservation and development through global networks as well as innovative financing mechanisms, including supporting the development of mangrove and seagrass-based blue carbon trading.
“Together with the government, UNDP is ready to mobilize strategic guidance and technical expertise for sustainable marine resource management. UNDP also opens opportunities for collaboration with the private sector to invest in nature-based solutions,” explained Iwan.
“Through the results of the ATSEA Project, UNDP also invites all parties to optimize the potential of the blue economy and blue carbon trading to encourage sustainable development, strengthen livelihoods, and make this region a global leader in climate action and marine conservation,” he continued.
During its five years of implementation, ATSEA-2 has succeeded in recording a number of extraordinary achievements that have had a real impact on marine ecosystems and coastal communities, while supporting the vision of a sustainable Blue Economy.
In terms of ecosystem conservation and restoration, this program establishes the Kolepom Island Marine Conservation Area in South Papua with an area of 356,337 hectares. In addition, management of the Southeast Aru Marine Conservation Area has been significantly improved, reaching an EVIKA score of 72.47 percent in 2023.
In the field of sustainable fisheries management, ATSEA-2 introduces an ecosystem-based approach (EAFM) to manage important species such as red snapper, barramundi and shrimp in the Arafura Sea.
This program also trained 138 fishermen in the use of fisheries e-logbooks, a digital technology for monitoring catches, to increase transparency and accuracy of fisheries data.
Not only that, empowering coastal communities is the main focus. Women’s groups in East Nusa Tenggara and South Papua now have a new source of income through the production of virgin coconut oil (VCO), seaweed soap and various fish-based products.
This effort is supported by coastal ecosystem restoration, including planting mangroves and rehabilitating coral reefs which are important habitats for marine biodiversity.
In terms of marine pollution management, ATSEA-2 also takes preventive steps by implementing an early warning system for oil spills in East Nusa Tenggara and preparing marine pollution contingency plans, ensuring that negative impacts on the environment can be minimized quickly and effectively.
The closure of ATSEA-2 is not the end, but rather the beginning of greater continuity. The Sustainability Strategy introduced in this project ensures that program outcomes can be integrated into national and regional governance. Support from international partners, CSR funding and cross-sector collaboration will be the foundation for long-term implementation.
This program has also become a model for managing transboundary marine areas, emphasizing Indonesia’s role in preserving the Arafura and Timor Seas for future generations.
With the end of the ATSEA-2 project, the way forward will focus on sustainability through ATSEA-3 and support of regional governance mechanisms. This underscores the importance of cross-border collaboration in addressing global challenges, such as climate change, marine pollution and biodiversity loss.
“Synergy and collaboration across countries and across ministries/institutions are the foundation of our success. Together, we create sustainable marine and coastal ecosystems for the welfare of humans and nature,” said Yayan.
The closing ceremony for this project will take place on December 27 2024, attended by stakeholders from the four countries, as well as international partners such as UNDP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), who have supported this long journey. (AT Network)
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