a

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE

ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION (ATS) 2024-2033
Copyright © 2023 Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase II (ATSEA-2) Project

Suggested Citation:

ATSEA (2023). Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the Arafura and Timor Seas Region (ATS),
2024-2033. Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase II (ATSEA-2) Project, Bali, Indonesia.
78pp.

Disclaimer:

ATSEA-2 Project has published the information contained in this publication to assist public
knowledge and discussion, and to help improve the sustainable management of the Arafura and
Timor Seas (ATS) region. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or
policies of ATSEA-2 implementing partners and its other participating organisations or the
ATSEA Member Countries. The designation employed and the presentation do not imply
expression of opinion whatsoever on the part of ATSEA-2 concerning the legal status of any
country or territory, its authority or the delimitation of its boundaries.

Published by:
ATSEA-2 Regional Project Management Unit
Jl. Mertasari No. 140 Sidakarya,
Denpasar 80224, Bali, Indonesia
Telephone: +62 361 448 4147
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://atsea-program.com/

Cover Image: Coastal View from Rote Ndao, Indonesia featuring calm water bordered by a lush
green hedge with purple flowers.

Printed in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia

i | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................................... ii
LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................. iv
LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................................. iv
REGIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE ENDORSEMENT OF THE STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME
2024-2033 ............................................................................................................................................. v
MINISTERIAL ADOPTION OF THE STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME 2024-2033 ......................... vi
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................... vii
LIST OF ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................ x
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1
1.1. Strategic Action Programme (SAP) Purpose and Vision .................................................... 2
1.2. The Arafura and Timor Seas Large Marine Ecosystem ....................................................... 3
1.3. ATSEA: Building on Success ................................................................................................. 4
1.4. A Sustainable ATS Blue Economy: The rationale for coordinated transboundary action 5
1.5. The SAP Updating Process ................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER 2. STATE OF THE ATS .......................................................................................................... 8
2.1 Transboundary Issues Identified in 2023 TDA ..................................................................... 9
2.2 Cross-cutting Issues .............................................................................................................12
CHAPTER 3. STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME ...............................................................................13
3.1 Shared Principles, Frameworks and Approaches for Implementing the SAP ................. 14
3.2 SAP Structure...................................................................................................................... 14
3.3 SAP Components ................................................................................................................ 16
SAP Component 1: Reducing marine and coastal plastic pollution, including ALDFG ..................17
SAP Component 2: Preventing and responding to oil spills .......................................................... 24
SAP Component 3: Reducing the incidence of small-scale IUU fishing in transboundary areas. 27
SAP Component 4: Increase resilience of regional populations of endangered, threatened and
protected (ETP) species and critical habitats ................................................................................ 31
3.4 Mainstreaming Climate Change and GESI Objectives in the SAP ............................................ 37
3.4.1. Mainstreaming Climate Change .................................................................................... 37
3.4.2. Mainstreaming Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI)..........................................40
CHAPTER 4. SAP GOVERNANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION .............................................................. 43
4.1. SAP Governance and Institutional Arrangements ............................................................44
4.2. Governance Objectives ...................................................................................................... 45
4.3. SAP Implementation and Resource Mobilisation .............................................................48
4.3.1. Implementation Plans ....................................................................................................48
4.3.2. SAP Financing .................................................................................................................49
4.3.3. Capacity Building ............................................................................................................ 50
4.3.4. Resource Mobilisation ................................................................................................... 50
4.4. Programme Implementation Risk ..................................................................................... 52
4.5. Stakeholder Engagement and Communications .............................................................. 52

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | ii
 4.6. SAP Monitoring and Evaluation ......................................................................................... 52
4.6.1. SAP Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System............................................................ 52
4.6.2. Programme Targets and Indicators .............................................................................. 53
4.7. Adaptive Management....................................................................................................... 53
CHAPTER 5. ANNEXES ....................................................................................................................... 55
Annex 1 – References and resources .............................................................................................. 57
Annex 2 – SAP updating process .................................................................................................... 59
Annex 3 – SAP contributors ............................................................................................................ 61
Annex 4 – SAP shared principles and approaches ......................................................................... 67
Annex 5 – Climate change impacts and SAP responses (by SAP component) ........................... 69
Annex 6 – SAP targets ......................................................................................................................71
Annex 7 – SAP Risk Assessment: identification and possible mitigation measures .................... 74
Annex 8 – SAP Theory of Change (ToC) ......................................................................................... 78

iii | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 – ATS Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) showing national and system boundaries ............... 3
Figure 2 – Schematic of TDA/SAP creation process ............................................................................. 7
Figure 3 – ATS region with transboundary environmental issues mapped ........................................ 9
Figure 4 – ATS Regional Governance Mechanism (RGM) .................................................................. 45

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 – Priority transboundary environmental issues identified in TDA (ATSEA-2, 2023) ............... 9
Table 2 – MPA coverage in ATS, by country ....................................................................................... 10
Table 3 – Key steps and timeline of SAP creation, 2021-2023 ............................................................ 59

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | iv
REGIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE ENDORSEMENT OF
THE STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME 2024-2033
The Arafura and Timor Seas Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the period 2024-2033 builds
upon a meticulous review process aimed at ensuring the utmost alignment with individual
country and regional priorities.

The four Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) countries – Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and
Timor-Leste – formally endorsed the SAP 2024-2033 during the 5th Regional Steering Committee
(RSC) Meeting on 22 November 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia, through their duly appointed National
Project Director (NPD) or National Focal Point (NFP).

Transboundary management requires collective action, which can only be achieved through
genuine collaboration. This endorsement signifies the collective commitment to guide the
forthcoming ten-year regional collaboration toward our mutual vision of a sustainable Arafura
and Timor Seas region.

The RSC-level endorsement serves as a precursor to the formal agreement by the four ATS
countries through the signature of the respective Ministers from the ATSEA focal ministries.

Country Designated NPDs/NFP Agency

Australia Dr. Andrew Chek Department of Climate Change,

Energy, the Environment and
Water

Indonesia Ms. Yayan Hikmayani Ministry of Marine Affairs and

Fisheries

Papua New Guinea Mr. Leban Gisawa National Fisheries Authority

Timor-Leste Mr. Celestino Da Cunha Barreto Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock,

Fisheries and Forestry

v | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
MINISTERIAL ADOPTION OF THE STRATEGIC ACTION
PROGRAMME 2024-2033
We, the Ministers of the ATSEA focal Ministries, recognize the following:

• The Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the Arafura and Timor Seas Region 2024-2033
builds upon the foundation laid by the inaugural SAP for 2014-2023, supported by the first
Arafura and Timor Seas Ministerial Declaration.

• The unwavering commitment of Arafura and Timor Seas countries to ensure the sustainable
protection and development of the Arafura and Timor Seas guides the SAP 2024-2033.

• The imperative to effectively address transboundary issues delineated in the updated

Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) is central to the SAP 2024-2033.

We, the Ministers of the ATSEA focal Ministries are pleased to adopt the ATSEA Strategic Action
Programme for the Arafura and Timor Seas Region 2024-2033 as a continuation of our collective
efforts. With this adoption, we pledge our unwavering dedication to the principles and objectives
encapsulated within it, heralding a new chapter in our cooperative efforts towards the
sustainable stewardship of the Arafura and Timor Seas.

Country Signature Minister

Australia The Hon Tanya Plibersek, MP,

Minister for the Environment and Water

Indonesia The Hon Sakti Wahyu Trenggono

Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries

Papua New The Hon Jelta Wong, MP,

Guinea Minister for Fisheries and Marine
Resources

Timor-Leste The Hon Marcos da Cruz

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock,
Fisheries and Forestry

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | vi
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Strategic Action Programme (ATS-SAP 2024-2033) sets out the strategic direction and
priority actions that will be required over the next decade to address four priority transboundary
concerns identified for the 167-million-hectare Arafura and Timor Seas Large Marine Ecosystem
region (ATS). The SAP is focused on four strategic issues: marine plastic pollution, oil spills, small-
scale Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and declines of populations of
endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species–all as they pertain to transboundary areas.
More broadly, as a framework for collaborative regional action, the SAP supports the four littoral
countries to meet a range of environmental and sustainable development goals and obligations
at international, regional, national and sub-national levels.

The Arafura and Timor Seas are globally important, linking Indian and Pacific Oceans and
influencing global ocean circulation and climate. The region is rich in living and non-living marine
resources including capture fisheries, gas and oil reserves, storage and sequestration of carbon,
cultural and traditional goods and services and conditions supporting valuable mariculture and
tourism industries. The region is also a stronghold for globally significant biodiversity values
which may be distributed across jurisdictional boundaries due to the high degree of connectivity
of ecosystems, habitats and species in the region. However, these ecosystem services are
threatened by increasing pressures from various anthropogenic factors including climate change.

ATS-SAP Component 1 is focused on reducing the impacts of plastic marine debris in the ATS
marine environment. ATSEA has identified shoreline debris hotspots, including Rote Ndao and
Timor-Leste’s south coast, while the ATS has been identified as a global hotspot for abandoned,
lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gears (ALDFG). Drivers include the ‘direct action’ of
purposeful or accidental discarding of fishing nets and other gears at sea, the dispersal of solid or
plastic wastes from port facilities, coastal communities or land-based refuse dumps, and coastal
watersheds. These issues may be exacerbated at times by a lack of adequate coastal sanitation
infrastructure or waste disposal facilities in ports and coastal settlements. This SAP focuses on
reducing plastic pollution of the marine environment from land-based sources (Operational
Objective 1.1), and from Abandoned, Lost and Discarded Fishing Gears, or ‘ALDFG’ (Operational
Objective 1.2), while also contributing to reductions in the production, use and disposal of
harmful plastic wastes by stimulating the ‘circular economy’ concepts in the region (Operational
Objective 1.3).

ATS-SAP Component 2 is concerned with strengthening regional capacity to avoid and respond
to oil spills. The Arafura and Timor Seas are rich in gas and oil reserves, which have the potential
to provide high value to the communities of the ATS. However, the sector carries intrinsic risks;
the accidental discharge or loss of crude oil from offshore platforms and wells, tankers and
pipelines may result in environmental impacts which can have significant flow-on economic and
social impacts. These risks will be addressed by enhancing regional coordination and developing
regional-level capacity to reduce the incidence of oil spills, and in the case of a spill, minimising
impacts by facilitating coordinated regional responses, capacities and resources.

vii | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
ATS-SAP Component 3 is focused on improving the management of those small-scale capture
fisheries and related post-harvest activities that may be operating illegally in ATS transboundary
areas. In some cases, small-scale fishers may be practicing their fishing operations according to
long-standing cultural identities or customary practices that may span national jurisdictions.
Their activities may be influenced by trans-boundary market forces and supply chains, especially
where formal markets are under-developed in remote areas. These fisheries may operate in
ambiguous legal contexts, such as disputed territories or in fishing grounds which straddle
jurisdictional boundaries, and in some cases, small-scale fishers may be unaware that their
activities are illegal. This component is intended to complement the ongoing work of the
existing RPOA-IUU regional coordination mechanism, which primarily combats IUU fishing
undertaken by larger commercial and industrial fleets, illegal foreign fleets and organised crime
syndicates.

ATS-SAP Component 4 is concerned with stabilizing, and where possible recovering certain
populations of Endangered, Threatened and Protected (ETP) species known to utilise marine and
coastal habitats across the ATS region. The ATS region hosts numerous ETP species with shared
transboundary populations, including dugongs; six species of sea turtles, (such as green turtle,
hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, olive ridley and flatback turtle); and several sharks and ray
species (such as largetooth sawfish, green sawfish and the whale shark). ETP species may include
species on international listings, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES), the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS), and the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, or may be listed via national or
sub-national legislative instruments and protected species lists. This component also
incorporates ‘area-based measures’ (including MPAs and other effective area-based conservation
measures, or ‘OECMs’) intended to safeguard critical habitats of those species while also
safeguarding ecosystem functions that benefit people.

In addition to the four thematic components, this SAP also incorporates cross-cutting concerns
of climate change and Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI). It also outlines key governance
objectives and priority actions required to successfully implement the SAP, and to achieve
sustainable management of the ATS more broadly.

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | viii
 SAP COMPONENT 1: SAP COMPONENT 2: SAP COMPONENT 3: SAP COMPONENT 4:
Reducing marine and Preventing and Reducing incidence of Increase resilience of
coastal plastic responding to oil spills small-scale IUU regional populations
pollution including fishing in of endangered,
ALDFG transboundary areas threatened and
protected (ETP)
species and critical
habitats
COMPONENT GOAL: COMPONENT GOAL: COMPONENT GOAL: COMPONENT GOAL:
Reduction of the levels Ecosystem impacts Reduce small-scale Important regional
of marine and coastal from oil spills illegal fishing through populations of priority
plastic pollution, prevented or reduced improved ETP species and their
including ALDFG, in through enhanced management critical habitats are
the ATS regional coordination arrangements in stabilised
and best practices transboundary areas in
support of
RPOA/NPOA-IUUF
OPERATIONAL OPERATIONAL OPERATIONAL OPERATIONAL
OBJECTIVE 1.1: Reduce OBJECTIVE 2.1: OBJECTIVE 3.1: Create OBJECTIVE 4.1:
inputs of plastic Strengthen regional effective agreements Enhance collaborative
pollutants from land- coordination and and incentives to management of
based sources capacities on oil spill improve management priority transboundary
preparedness and of small-scale fisheries or migratory
response operating illegally in populations of ETP
transboundary areas species

OPERATIONAL OPERATIONAL
OBJECTIVE 1.2: Reduce OBJECTIVE 4.2: Build
inputs of Abandoned, resilience of ATS
Lost and otherwise critical habitats and
Discarded Fishing Gear ecosystems against
(ALDFG) climate change
through effective area-
based management
Cross-cutting Objective 1: Mainstreaming Climate Change

Objective: Effective mainstreaming of climate change response in SAP governance and

implementation

Cross-cutting Objective 2: Gender equity and social inclusion

Objective: Effective mainstreaming of GESI in SAP governance and implementation

SAP Governance Objectives

Objective 1: Effective and efficient regional coordination to support SAP implementation

Objective 2: Effective resource mobilisation to support SAP implementation

This new SAP is the second iteration for the ATS region; this revision was prepared under the
auspices of ATSEA-2 in collaboration with regional and national Working Groups (RWG, NGW),
ATSEA-2 National Focal Points, UNDP and National Coordination Units (NCUs) and the RPMU.

ix | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
LIST OF ACRONYMS

ALDFG Abandoned, Lost and otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear

APEC Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations
ATS Arafura and Timor Seas
ATSEA Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action
ATSEF Arafura and Timor Seas Expert Forum
CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
CMS Convention on Migratory Species
CPUE Catch Per Unit Effort
CTI-CFF Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security
EAFM Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management
EbA Ecosystem-based Adaptation
ENSO El Nino-Southern Oscillation
FAO Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
GEF Global Environment Facility
ICZM Integrated Coastal Zone Management
IUU Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported
LME Large Marine Ecosystem
MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
MCS Monitoring, Control and Surveillance
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
MPA Marine Protected Area
MPP Marine Plastic Pollution
MSP Marine Spatial Planning
NAP National Action Programme
NAPA National Adaptation Programme of Action
NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
NPOA National Plan of Action
NGO Non-Government Organization
NPOA-IUU National Programme of Action to combat IUU fishing
PEMSEA Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia
PES Payment for Environmental Services
POPs/NIPs Persistent Organic Pollutants/National Implementation Plans
REDD Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
RBM Rights-based (Fisheries) Management
RPOA-IUU Regional Plan of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices including
Combating IUU Fishing in the Region
SAP Strategic Action Programme
SEG Stakeholder Engagement Group
SSF Small-scale Fisheries
TDA Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis
UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
UNOPS United Nations Office for Project Services

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | x
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION

1 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAM (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS, 2024-2033
1.1. Strategic Action Programme (SAP) Purpose and Vision
The Strategic Action Programme (SAP) is a negotiated document intended to provide a
programmatic approach to guide long-term collaborative action in response to the
transboundary issues identified and prioritised in the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA)
2023. The SAP’s primary purpose is to provide a clear and agreed framework from which the four
ATS littoral countries may collaborate on the management of the ATS large marine ecosystem, in
support of the sustainable development of the region.

This updated document is the second iteration of the SAP for the ATS region, replacing the first
iteration, developed in 2012. It outlines the agreed vision, goals, objectives and targets, as well as
the specific actions, timelines and modes of implementation and governance measures required
to achieve them, and the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) approach that will help to measure
the programme’s performance and impacts.

LONG-TERM VISION: A healthy, resilient and productive ATS that supports human wellbeing and
nature

The shared long-term vision encapsulates the shared values of the four ATS littoral countries; human
wellbeing, ecological health, resilience to climate change, and a productive ‘blue economy’ that
drives economic growth while supporting the enabling environment needed to sustain it for the
benefit of future generations.

With a long-term horizon of twenty years, the SAP vision can help to sustain efforts in the future
by providing continuity and providing opportunities for SAP revision and ongoing collaboration
beyond its 10-year plan term.

ATSEA’S STATED MISSION IN THE ATS: To foster social, ecological and economic progress
through a blue economy oriented regional partnership in the ATS region

As an overarching regional framework for adaptive management of the ATS large marine
ecosystem, the SAP outlines regional-level collaborative action, and serves to guide ATS
countries in the development of counterpart National Action Programmes (NAPs) and highlight
key linkages between regional and national level interventions. The SAP supports countries to
meet existing obligations including the internationally-agreed Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), and a range of regional and national priorities related to the economy, human
development and the sustainable management of valuable marine and coastal resources – all
essential to a sustainable and productive regional blue economy.

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 2
1.2. The Arafura and Timor Seas Large Marine Ecosystem

Figure 1 – ATS Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) boundaries

The Arafura and Timor Seas are globally important, linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans and
playing an important role in global ocean circulation. The marine and coastal ecosystems of the
167-million-hectare region are extremely rich in living and non-living marine resources – all told,
they provide ecosystem services to the four littoral nations of the ATS with a combined annual
value estimated at US$7.3 billion. These values include the provision of fisheries, gas and oil
reserves, storage and sequestration of carbon in ‘blue carbon’ coastal ecosystems, cultural and
traditional goods and services, the spaces and environmental conditions needed to support
valuable mariculture industries, and the special places and attractions that support marine and
coastal tourism industries.

The Arafura and Timor Seas region is also a stronghold for globally significant biodiversity values.
In many cases, these values exist within national jurisdictions (i.e., territorial waters), while in
other cases may be distributed across boundaries. However, the ATS’s biodiversity and the
ecosystem services derived from it are under threat due to increasing pressure from various
anthropogenic factors, including the impacts of climate change.

3 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
1.3. ATSEA: Building on Success
This SAP was developed under the auspices of ATSEA-2 - the 2nd phase of the GEF-financed,
UNDP-supported ATSEA program. It was designed to enhance regional collaboration and
coordination in the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region, which is composed of part of the
marine domains of Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste. Since 2003,
representatives from governmental and non-governmental stakeholders working on sustainable
marine development issues in the four ATS countries have come together to promote integrated
and ecosystem-based management of the ATS. Beginning with the Arafura and Timor Seas
Experts Forum (ATSEF), the collaboration has progressed through project-based initiatives under
two GEF-supported and UNDP-implemented ATSEA projects (ATSEA-1 2009-2014, and ATSEA-2
2019-2024).

The inaugural ten-year SAP was launched in 2014 and addressed five key issues; unsustainable
fisheries, degradation of coastal and marine habitats, marine and land-based pollution, decline of
threatened and migratory species, and the impacts of climate change.

This updated SAP for the period 2024-2033 builds on that first SAP (Box 1); it has been created
with the benefit of a decade of shared experience in delivering an ambitious, regional scope of
work. It also draws on a wealth of new information that was not available a decade ago – much
of which was generated through implementation of the research agenda encapsulated in the
2012 SAP, including a series of recent thematic technical and governance assessments
undertaken by the ATSEA-2 program between 2019-2022.

Primarily, this updated SAP responds to the findings of the second Transboundary Diagnostic
Analysis (TDA) developed for the ATS. The updated TDA was delivered by ATSEA-2 in early 2023,
in order to review the status and trends of important coastal and marine resources, identify
priority transboundary environmental issues in the ATS region, and understand the key drivers
and impacts of these problems, and opportunities for collaboration, in order to support the
formulation of new SAP strategies that can best address them.

This new strategic direction for ATS also builds on significant advances in regional governance;
since the first SAP was developed a decade ago, a Regional Governance Mechanism (RGM) has
been designed based on stakeholder inputs. Under the guidance of the Council of Ministers and
in accordance with the direction provided by a Regional Coordination Committee (RCC) and
supported by a Regional Secretariat, a Regional Stakeholder Working Group (RSWG) will be
created to deliver regional elements of this SAP, supported by National Stakeholder Working
Groups (NSWGs). And at the country level, National Coordination Committees will coordinate
and oversee delivery of national priority actions by relevant agencies, and in some cases National
Stakeholder Working Groups. Implementation of the 2024-2033 SAP will provide strong impetus
for the consolidation and refinement of the RGM, essential for addressing transboundary issues
over the long term.

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 4
 Box 1: ATSEA SAP 2012-2023 Key achievements

Based on the implementation of the first iteration of the SAP, strong progress has been
made across the region on many issues. These successes provide a strong basis from which
the ATS community can address the priority issues outlined in this revised SAP.

• In support of sustainable fisheries management, Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries

Management (EAFM) and Fisheries Improvement Projects (FIPs) adopted across
major fisheries; technical assessments and strong regional and bilateral
cooperation to tackle IUU fishing.

• Coverage of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) expanded with the creation of new
and more effective MPAs and through support to strengthening of existing priority
MPAs, particularly in Indonesia and Timor-Leste.

• The endorsement of a Regional Action Plan (RAP) for the Protection of Sea
Turtles that complements existing national plans of action.

• Assessments on land-based and marine-based pollution, and new collaborations

with industry on regional oil spill preparedness and response.

• Stronger engagement of women in integrated coastal management (ICM) and

ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA), and the adoption of ICM plans incorporating
climate change adaptation.

• The endorsement of the Guide for Facilitators and Decisionmakers: Incorporating

Climate Change Results into National and Local Planning as a tool for local
managers and communities to understand climate vulnerability, identify effective
adaptation measures, and develop local adaptation plans.

• Underpinning these successes is enhanced awareness and capacities on integrated

management approaches made possible through capacity and stakeholder
1.4. A engagement
Sustainable ATS Blue
programs, Economy:
and support The rationale
at the governance for coordinated
level through the ongoing
transboundary action
refinement of enabling regulations and mechanisms.

With its 5,000km of coastline divided among the four littoral countries of Australia, Indonesia,
Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste, the Arafura and Timor Seas region is defined as a ‘semi-
enclosed sea’. Article 123 of the UN Convention on the Law of the SEA (UNCLOS) places a
responsibility and obligation on countries bordering enclosed and semi-enclosed seas to
cooperate in resource management, protection of marine environments and scientific research.

Beyond legal definitions, there are ecological, cultural and pragmatic reasons for transboundary
collaboration on the region’s management. For millennia, ATS’s littoral communities have used
and shared natural resources and developed local customs and approaches for their
management. The seas have shaped human development in the four countries and contributed
to the region’s rich and unique cultures. Many of the region’s cultures and traditions exist
beyond jurisdictional boundaries. The ATS Large Marine Ecosystem is at the heart of the regional
sustainable blue economy; defined by UNDP as “the sustainable use of ocean resources for

5 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
economic growth, jobs and social and financial inclusion, with a focus on preservation and
restoration of the health of ocean ecosystems and the services they provide”.

As the core of ATSEA’s regional program of collaborative action, the SAP can uniquely strengthen
management of the ATS Large Marine Ecosystem in the following ways:

- Provide structure and clarity around regional collaboration and coordination

- Inform the development of strategic relationships
- Promote adoption of scalable best practices
- Bring together global and regional targets in a consolidated approach
- Support and prioritise enhanced regional monitoring and information sharing
- Engender recognition and support for ATS

More broadly, the SAP embodies a collective commitment to a sustainable blue economy, to
ecosystem-based management, to the rule of law, and to advancing the rights and opportunities
of the region’s many and diverse communities and economic sectors.

The SAP supports existing national-level blue economy initiatives including the following:

- Australia's Oceans Policy

- Indonesia’s Blue Economy Roadmap (2023-2045)
- Indonesian Ocean Policy
- Timor-Leste’s Financing the Blue Economy Roadmap
- Timor-Leste National Oceans Policy
- Papua New Guinea National Oceans Policy (2020-2030)

Implementing the SAP will also strengthen ATS countries’ contributions to important global
sustainability agreements, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
(GBF), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 6
1.5. The SAP Updating Process
As shown in Figure 2, the updating of the SAP for the ATS region is based on the established
GEF/International Waters process and closely followed the revision of the Transboundary
Diagnostic Analysis (TDA), conducted for the ATS in 2022-2023. The TDA process is used to
identify and quantify the priority transboundary issues and establish the causes of those issues.
The SAP is then developed (in this case updated) as a regional response to the issues prioritised
by the regional community.

Adapted from the Global Environment Facility/International Waters

Figure 2 – Schematic of TDA/SAP creation process

Box 2: SAP 2024-2033 Updated focus to meet emerging challenges and opportunities

Building on the first SAP (2014-2023), this updated 2024-2033 Programme strengthens focus
on the following aspects in order to meet emerging challenges and developments:

ALDFG – focused effort to address abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gears
Area-based conservation – building on MPA network design but with new focus on OECMs
in support of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Circular economy – focused effort to ‘close the loop’ on marine-based waste streams by
avoiding waste, and deriving greater value from residual waste
GESI – mainstreaming of Gender Equity and Social Inclusion across all SAP aspects
IUU fishing – specific focus on small-scale IUU fishing in transboundary areas, to
complement existing efforts by RPOA-IUU
Marine plastic pollution – focus on marine plastic pollution, in line with global efforts to
address the issue
Mainstreaming climate change response - in recognition of the cross-cutting nature of the
problem, climate change actions are integrated within Components 1-4, supporting national
and global climate commitments (including the UNFCCC).

7 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
CHAPTER 2. STATE OF THE ATS

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 8
The following section highlights the current state of the ATS region with particular focus on the
issues to be addressed by this SAP. A more comprehensive assessment of issues is provided in
the 2023 TDA.

2.1 Transboundary Issues Identified in 2023 TDA

Table 1 – Priority transboundary environmental issues identified in TDA (ATSEA-2, 2023)
ATS Priority Transboundary Fundamental concerns
Issues (TDA 2023)
Pollution of marine and 1.1 Oil spills
coastal environment 1.2 Harmful marine debris including plastic pollution
1.3 Abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG)
1.4 Land-based pollution and sedimentation
Ecosystem, habitat and 2.1 Climate impacts on ecosystems, ecological communities
biodiversity decline and critical habitats
2.2 Declining populations of endangered, threatened, and
protected (ETP) species
2.3 Deterioration of critical ecosystems and habitats resulting
from anthropogenic causes
Unsustainable capture 3.1 Unsustainable harvest levels (overfishing)
fisheries 3.2 Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing
3.3 Fisheries bycatch
3.4 Fisheries impacts on habitats
Source: ATSEA-2, 2023

Source: ATSEA-2, 2023

Figure 3 – ATS region with transboundary environmental issues mapped

9 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
Marine and Land-Based Pollution

ATSEA regional assessments identified two main pollution sources that will have region-wide
impacts – those are oil spills and marine debris. A modelling simulation using GNOME discovered
that the Timor Sea is the primary oil spill hotspot in the ATS, with the Southern part of Rote Ndao
and Timor-Leste the most prone to oil spills. Meanwhile, the Aru Sea was identified as a seafloor
debris hotspot. ATSEA-2 has initiated support to build local capacities in oil spill preparedness and
response and to develop pollution prevention and control plans as part of the integrated coastal
management (ICM) process in Rote Ndao, Indonesia and Manatuto, Timor-Leste.

Biodiversity Conservation

ATS region hosts numerous endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species, including
dugongs; six species of sea turtles (green turtle, hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, olive ridley
and flatback turtle) (ATSEA-2, 2023); and several species of sharks and rays (such as large-tooth
sawfish, green sawfish and the whale shark). All species are listed as vulnerable, endangered or
critically endangered and are protected by national legislations and international conventions. To
boost sea turtle conservation in the region, ATSEA-2 facilitated the development of the Sea Turtle
Regional Action Plan which could act as reference/guidance for ATS countries to conserve their
sea turtles. The action plan has six themes: 1) addressing discards of fishing gear, 2) establishing a
funding mechanism, 3) addressing sea turtle bycatch in the Arafura Sea prawn fishery, 4)
enhanced conservation of sea turtles in Timor-Leste, 5) in Indonesia with a focus on Aru and 6) in
Papua New Guinea.

A valuation of ecosystem services based on data from 2016-2020 data shows that the ATS region
contributes approximately $US 7.3 billion annually to the economies of ATS countries. Further, a
regional MPA Network Design and Roadmap developed by ATSEA-2 was endorsed by the 3rd RSC.
Table 2 shows MPA coverage data for the ATS region.

Table 2 – MPA coverage in ATS, by country

Total area in % of ATS area MPA % of MPA
ATS (km2) coverage territorial coverage as %
(km2) waters in ATS of total ATS
declared as area
MPA
AUS 1,000,902 59.96 249,802 25.00 14.97
IND 568,020 34.03 11,675 2.06 0.70
PNG 23,436 1.40 907 3.87 0.05
TL 76,799 4.60 935 1.22 0.06
Total 1,669,157 100% 263,319 - 15.78%

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 10
Sustainability of fisheries

At regional level, ATSEA works to improve fisheries management for red snapper, especially the
saddle-tail snapper, crimson snapper, red emperor and gold-band snapper. Based on FAO
statistics (Knuckey et al.,2021), the ATS region contributed 2.76% or 13,604 tonnes of the
estimated global Lutjanid catch for 2019. The baseline review conducted in 2020-2021 shows that
snapper fisheries in the ATS are diverse and include small and industrial scales. The stock status
of red snappers also varies with Australia’s stock considered to be sustainable, Indonesia’s
overfished, and undefined for both Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea. Threats on the fisheries
such as stock sustainability, ecological impacts of fishing operations, bycatch, transboundary
conflict, conflict between sectors, lack of infrastructure and market access, policy to support
rights-based management of small-scale fisheries, IUU fishing and lack of consistent/unified data
across regions were identified and would be addressed by implementing the recently developed
EAFM plan for red snapper fisheries in the ATS region.

IUU fishing is a prevalent threat for the ATS region. To understand the threat better, ATSEA-2
facilitated a regional assessment to quantify law enforcement capabilities by calculating losses
avoided through the apprehension of both domestic and foreign vessels. The assessment
covered the period of 2015-2019 and shows the estimated prevented volume loss for ATS
countries is 40,154 tonnes and the prevented economic loss is $US 80,307,576. Due to limited
information, the study focused mostly on illegal fishing (i.e., the ‘I’ in IUU Fishing), and
strengthened monitoring and reporting would support country-level efforts to address the
unregulated and unreported elements of IUU. Further, strengthening monitoring, control and
surveillance (MCS) capacity would help to reduce economic and social impacts on communities
due to IUU fishing. ATSEA acknowledges the importance of regional networks in combating IUU
fishing, particularly through the RPOA-IUU’s ATS MCS sub-regional group. ATSEA will also
continue to support implementation of the RPOA-IUU’s annual workplan. At national/local level,
ATSEA will strengthen countries’ capacity to address IUU fishing through stronger community-
based surveillance and monitoring.

11 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
2.2 Cross-cutting Issues
Climate Change

A regional climate change vulnerability assessment facilitated by ATSEA-2 in 2023 highlights

specific climate-related risks to marine and coastal ecosystems in the ATS (Johnson et al., 2021).
Based on global climate models moderate-emissions (RCP4.5) and high-emissions (RCP8.5) 2070
scenarios for 2070, regional results were spatially variable.

The assessments showed shallow coral reefs to be highly vulnerable to climate change,
particularly around Barique subdistrict in Manatuto municipality, Timor-Leste and Tual, Indonesia.
Seagrass meadows were most vulnerable in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia due to hotspot sea
surface temperature increases. Lastly, mangroves and estuarine habitats were most vulnerable
in Timor-Leste and western Papua New Guinea. Species vulnerability was also highly variable
spatially; Green turtle was shown to be a species of high vulnerability across most sub-regions,
while dugong, barramundi, black jewfish, Spanish mackerel, and mud crab are highly vulnerable
in at least two sub-regions.

Gender Equity and Social Inclusion

As outlined in the updated TDA, structural gender and social inequalities in place in some ATS
communities may mean that transboundary environmental issues affect women in different ways
to men, and in some cases, more severely. Examples of impacts more likely to be felt by women
may be village-level environmental problems (e.g., family health issues caused by pollution
issues), reduced food security at the household level, or in some instances, women shouldering
more of the burden of environmental remediation than men.

Ecosystem governance issues

Existing governance of the ATS region and its environmental assets is a mosaic of both binding
and voluntary frameworks and measures operating at the regional level, and the national and
sub-national regulatory environments and sectoral arrangements within the four littoral
countries and sub-national jurisdictions. The 2023 TDA identified ineffective governance as a root
cause or indirect driver of transboundary issues; encompassing related challenges of insufficient
management resources, poor or inconsistent compliance and failure to enact regulations, and
ineffective coordination. Governance failures were found to exacerbate transboundary
environmental issues in the ATS. Strong, effective, and participatory governance approaches
were considered necessary to enable the mitigation strategies needed to address the priority
issues.

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 12
CHAPTER 3. STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME

13 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
In response to the priority transboundary environmental issues in the ATS identified in the 2023
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA), the following section presents a framework of Targets,
Priority Actions, and Supporting Activities required to achieve the shared vision for the ATS: A
healthy, resilient and productive ATS that supports human wellbeing and nature.

3.1 Shared Principles, Frameworks and Approaches for Implementing

the SAP
Anchored on the overarching concepts of sustainable development, ocean-based sustainable
blue economy and human rights, the four littoral countries of the ATS agree to implement this
SAP with regard to the following:

- Principle of Sovereignty
- The Precautionary Approach
- The Principle of Fair and Equitable Benefit-sharing
- Principle of Gender Equity
- Principle of Participation and Inclusivity
- Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)
- Notification, consultation, and negotiation

Also embodied in the SAP are the following natural resource management approaches:

- Ecosystem approach
- Ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM)
- Integrated coastal management (ICM)
- Adaptive management approaches

Definitions and brief descriptions of these principles and approaches are included in Annex 4.

3.2 SAP Structure

This SAP is structured around issue-based program Components, each with its own Goal, and
several subordinate Operational Objectives, supported by enabling Governance Objectives, to
be achieved within the SAP implementation period.

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 14
There are a total of four SAP components and six operational objectives, as shown below:

SAP COMPONENT 1: SAP COMPONENT 2: SAP COMPONENT 3: SAP COMPONENT 4:

Reducing marine and Preventing and Reducing incidence of Increase resilience of
coastal plastic pollution responding to oil spills small-scale IUU regional populations
including ALDFG Fishing in of endangered,
transboundary areas threatened and
protected (ETP)
species and critical
habitats
COMPONENT GOAL: COMPONENT GOAL: COMPONENT GOAL: COMPONENT GOAL:
Reduction of the levels Ecosystem impacts Reduce small-scale Important regional
of marine and coastal from oil spills illegal fishing through populations of priority
plastic pollution, prevented or reduced improved ETP species and their
including ALDFG, in the through enhanced management critical habitats are
ATS regional coordination arrangements in stabilised
and best practices transboundary areas in
support of
RPOA/NPOA-IUUF

OPERATIONAL OPERATIONAL OPERATIONAL OPERATIONAL

OBJECTIVE 1.1: Reduce OBJECTIVE 2.1: OBJECTIVE 3.1: Create OBJECTIVE 4.1:
inputs of plastic Strengthen regional effective agreements Enhance collaborative
pollutants from land- coordination and and incentives to management of
based sources capacities on oil spill improve management priority transboundary
preparedness and of small-scale fisheries or migratory
response operating illegally in populations of ETP
transboundary areas species

OPERATIONAL OPERATIONAL
OBJECTIVE 1.2: Reduce OBJECTIVE 4.2: Build
inputs of Abandoned, resilience of ATS
Lost and otherwise critical habitats and
Discarded Fishing Gear ecosystems against
(ALDFG) climate change
through effective area-
based management
Cross-cutting Objective 1: Mainstreaming Climate Change

Objective: Effective mainstreaming of climate change response in SAP governance and implementation

Cross-cutting Objective 2: Gender equity and social inclusion

Objective: Effective mainstreaming of GESI in SAP governance and implementation

SAP Governance Objectives

Objective 1: Effective and efficient regional coordination to support SAP implementation

Objective 2: Effective resource mobilisation to support SAP implementation

15 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
In order to achieve each of the six Operational Objectives contained in Components 1-4, this SAP
document outlines a series of Priority Actions, and Supporting Activities at both regional and
national levels (indicative, intended to guide national level implementation). These actions and
activities are detailed in Section 3 for each project component. Each priority action has been
prioritised (high, medium or low), with an indicative timeframe for implementation; short-term
(<3 years), medium-term (3-5 years) or long-term (> 5years). A detailed implementation plan will be
developed to support delivery of SAP priority actions, and to delineate roles and responsibilities
among ATSEA members.

Further, National Action Programmes (NAPs) developed by ATS littoral countries will further
outline the supporting actions and activities specific to that country that contribute to the overall
attainment of Component Goals and Objectives. In the case of Indonesia and Timor-Leste, these
NAPs build on the previous 2013-2022 NAPs, while Papua New Guinea will create its first NAP in
2023 in support of this updated SAP.

The SAP was developed to complement existing regional instruments, agreements and efforts,
which are outlined in the TDA. Where appropriate, these are also outlined in the ‘Links’ row in
tables for each SAP Component in Section 3.

3.3 SAP Components

The following section outlines the four major SAP components:

Component 1: Reducing marine and coastal plastic pollution including ALDFG

Component 2: Preventing and responding to oil spills

Component 3: Reducing the incidence of small-scale IUU fishing in transboundary areas

Component 4: Increase resilience of regional populations of endangered, threatened and

protected (ETP) species and critical habitats

In the following section, the table for each component includes regional targets and indicators,
priority actions, supporting regional actions and indicative national supporting actions.
Timeframes and priority levels are also provided for each priority action. A detailed description of
these target and indicator types is provided in Section 4.2.6. A complete list of SAP targets is
included as Annex 6.

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 16
SAP Component 1: Reducing marine and coastal plastic pollution,
including ALDFG

Component Goal: Reduction of the levels of marine and coastal plastic pollution including
ALDFG in the ATS

ATS-SAP Component 1 is focused on reducing the impacts of plastic marine debris in the ATS
marine environment. Globally, plastic pollution has increased tenfold since 1980 (IPBES, 2019)
and plastic marine debris is a serious issue for the ATS region. ATSEA has identified shoreline
debris hotspots including Rote Ndao and Timor-Leste’s south coast, while the ATS has been
identified as a global hotspot for ALDFG. Drivers include the ‘direct action’ of purposeful or
accidental discarding of fishing nets and other gears at sea, the dispersal of solid or plastic
wastes from port facilities, coastal communities or land-based refuse dumps, and coastal
watersheds. These issues may be exacerbated at times by a lack of adequate coastal sanitation
infrastructure or waste disposal facilities in ports and coastal settlements.

This SAP focuses on reducing plastic pollution of the marine environment from land-based
sources (Operational Objective 1.1), and from Abandoned, Lost and otherwise Discarded Fishing
Gears, or ‘ALDFG’ (Operational Objective 1.2).

OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE 1.1: Prevent and reduce inputs of plastic pollutants from land-based
sources

Operational Objective 1.1 is concerned with reducing flows of plastic pollution (sometimes
referred to as ‘plastic debris’) from land-based sources into marine and coastal environments.
Land-based sources of plastic pollution may include waste transported to the coastal zone by
watersheds, poorly managed waste and litter originating from coastal cities and settlements, and
waste emanating from maritime infrastructure sited in the coastal zone including ports and
terminals. Plastic debris is among the most commonly encountered in the marine environment,
where it may persist for centuries before breaking down into smaller and smaller particles; as a
result, it can cause considerable harm over long periods, accumulating over time. Priority actions
identified include the promotion of ‘source-to-sea’ and ‘circular economy’ approaches, improving
regulatory frameworks, data and information, and regional capacity to respond to the issue.

OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE 1.1

Reduce inputs of plastic pollutants from land-based sources

TARGETS

At least 1 x regional and 4 x national/sub-national new policies, laws, agreements related to marine and
coastal plastic pollution* (process target)

1,000-5,000 tonnes of plastic pollution in the marine and coastal environments is prevented through new
on-ground pilot measures (threat reduction target)

17 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
At least 9 coastal communities engaged in reduction of plastic waste (threat reduction target)

At least 3 x new scalable circular economy pilot programs created with local communities (socio-
economic target)

*may include national or sub-national government laws, policies, commitments, partnerships or other agreements including with
private sector, civil society and/or communities

TARGET INDICATORS:

# New policies and agreements, implementation of programs, partnerships or partnership agreements in

place, #of partnerships established (process indicators)

Quantification of plastic waste reduction - % or tonnes (threat reduction indicator)

# of people involved in CE pilot program, # of communities with CE pilot program, # of people trained or
engaged through outreach on CE (socio-economic indicators)

PRIORITY ACTIONS SUPPORTING INDICATIVE ACTION INDICATORS

REGIONAL SUPPORTING
Timeframe – S,M,L ACTIVITIES NATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Priority – L,M,H

1.1.1 Strengthen, and Encourage and Develop new, or Adherence of ATS

improve assist countries to strengthen countries to
implementation of, develop and adopt implementation of international and
existing legal legal and economic existing, policies, regional
frameworks and instruments to assist laws, regulations or commitments related
agreements related the management economic instruments to land-based
to marine plastic and prevention of related to promote pollution reduction
pollution (M,H) marine litter/plastic waste management/ and prevention (e.g.,
pollutants from reduce marine plastic Bali Declaration on
land-based sources pollution the Protection of
Marine Environment
from Land-based
Activities, etc.)
through national/sub-
national pollution and
waste management
policies, laws,
agreements and
implementation
mechanisms

1.1.2 Promote Provide technical Develop new and/or Pollution

application of ‘source assistance and implement existing management
to sea’ and integrated capacity building on integrated and plans/programs and
approaches for waste integrated scalable waste implementation
management/ approaches in line management mechanisms for
reducing plastic with sustainable programs/plans (e.g., plastic waste
waste/plastic as part of Integrated reduction in

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 18
pollution from land- pollution reduction Coastal Management identified hotspot
based sources (M, H) and management programs) areas (with funding
and trained
Product replacement personnel)
– e.g., partnerships
with plastic producers
and plastic packaging
companies to phase
out unnecessary and
problematic single use
plastics

1.1.3 Development of Regional capacity Awareness raising Capacity and

human resources, building support for and engagement in awareness building
institutions, human resources, coastal communities programs/measures
infrastructure and institutions and to change behaviour
budgeting schemes in partnerships # Waste disposal
the implementation of Scalable pilot project facilities built or
reducing plastic waste to build or improve expanded through
from land-based controlled waste partnership with
sources (L,H) disposal facility in the government
coastal settlements and/or private
sector.

1.1.4 Develop and Scope and develop Create enabling Regional Circular
implement a Regional the Regional Circular policies and capacity Economy Blueprint
Circular Economy Economy Blueprint building programs to endorsed and
Blueprint for the ATS guidance document* support circular adopted
with regional and based on best economy and blue
country-level practice economy % of Regional
components (S, H) development (e.g., Circular Economy
Document and promote extended Blueprint actions
disseminate the producers’ implemented
findings from local responsibility,
pilot projects to assist developing markets Number of
scaling up of for recycled community/private
successful products, etc.) sector partnerships
approaches
Identify best Number of
(*possibly including practices and sector community
regional and country- leaders in-country partnerships
level innovations
related to Pilot scalable, local- Capacity and
partnerships, level circular awareness building
technology, markets, economy innovations programs/measures
legal and economic and initiatives based
instruments, site- on the Blueprint*
based
demonstrations,
community-level

19 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
 income generation,
and capacity and
training)

1.1.5 Establish Establish regional Establish Regional

data/monitoring monitoring and data/monitoring monitoring and
systems to support information-sharing systems in identified information-sharing
decision-making (S,H) system or network hotspot areas to system or network
support local on marine plastics
decision-making established

Facilitate the Pollution

adoption of monitoring &
national/sub-national reporting programs
waste management in place in identified
information system / hotspot areas
platform (including pollution
monitoring stations;
frequency of
monitoring &
reporting)

# hotspot areas that

have adopted waste
management
information
system/platform

Marine debris
reduction data in
ATS hotspot areas

LINKAGES:

ATS/SAP:
Regional EAFM Plan developed under ATSEA-2 (E1O2M5 on Prevent discarding of any non-
biodegradable material (plastics and netting) from fishing boats)

External:
IMO 2017 Guidelines on the Implementation of MARPOL Annex 5
Global Partnership for Marine Litter (GPML/UNEP)

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 20
Operational Objective 1.2 is concerned with preventing and reducing pollution directly
attributable to the fisheries sector, and in particular Abandoned, Lost or otherwise Discarded
Fishing Gear (ALDFG). ALDFG is a recognised driver of declining populations of certain
Endangered, Threatened and Protected (ETP) species occurring in the ATS, including sea turtles
and marine mammals. Sometimes referred to as ‘ghost gears’, certain types of ALDFG
(particularly nets) can contribute to ongoing mortality of these species for long periods after
entering the marine environment. ALDFG has impacts beyond ETP species also; toxic load from
plastics, impacts of microplastics on biodiversity and human health, aesthetic concerns that may
conflict with marine recreational uses and impacts on traditional and cultural values. Priority
actions identified include the development of a regional action plan to focus efforts on reducing
ALDFG.

All SAP actions outlined below will be developed to be complementary to existing relevant
frameworks and guidelines, including those of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and
Fisheries and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and any future global treaty on plastics.

OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE 1.2

Reduce inputs of Abandoned, Lost and Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG)

TARGETS

At least 1 x regional and 4 x national/sub-national new policies, laws, regulations, agreement,

commitments related to ALDFG* (process target)

Adoption of 1x Regional Action Plan (RAP) to combat ALDFG (process target)

At least 1,000 metric tons of ALDFG is prevented through recovery and recycling by local communities**
(threat reduction target)

At least 9 coastal communities / fishing associations engaged in reduction of ALDFG waste (threat
reduction target)

>10% reduction in fisheries (ALDFG) waste observed in the marine environment during routine
monitoring* (environmental status target)

At least 3 new pilot programs created with local communities to recover and recycle ALDFG waste (socio-
economic target)

*may include national or sub-national government laws, policies, commitments, partnerships or other agreements including with
private sector, civil society and/or communities
** subject to findings of the proposed ALDFG-RAP

TARGET INDICATORS:

# New policies and agreements, new partnerships, programs and plans in place (process indicators)

Quantification of reduction in ALDFG waste, waste recovered and/or recycled, number of communities /
fishing associations with ALDFG waste reduction initiatives (threat reduction indicators)

Volume of fishing waste observed in marine environment (environmental status indicator)

Tonnes of waste recycled, income generated (socio-economic indicators)

21 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
PRIORITY ACTIONS SUPPORTING INDICATIVE ACTION INDICATORS
REGIONAL SUPPORTING
Timeframe – S,M,L ACTIVITIES NATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Priority – L,M,H

1.2.1 Develop and Develop and consult Support development Regional Action Plan
implement Regional Regional Action Plan of the RAP-ALDFG for ALDFG in place
Action Plan to address for ALDFG, including consistent with FAO
ALDFG (M,M) research ALDFG targets

Develop guidelines
on the prevention,
reduction and
processing of marine
litter from fisheries
including ALDFG,
consistent with
existing instruments
and frameworks
(including
IMO/MARPOL and
FAO)

1.2.2 Develop regional Implement key Based on Regional Regional

collaborations for actions outlined in Action Plan, information-sharing
research, knowledge ALDFG-RAP, which implement site-based platform for ALDFG
sharing, innovations may include: interventions which established
and partnerships on may include:
ALDFG (M,M) targeted research and ALDFG research
monitoring (including ALDFG life-cycle, across monitoring &
hotspot assessment), the 4Rs (reduction, reporting programs
identification and retrieval, reuse and in place at national /
analyses of hotspots recycling) port-based sub-national levels
measures, fishing gear (hotspot areas)
facilitate regional disposal),
sharing of ALDFG Research/ academic/
data, information and harmonization of government/ industry
best practices instruments for partnerships in place
collecting data on on ALDFG research,
link to circular waste from fishing knowledge-sharing
economy vessels in port data and innovations
opportunities related collection systems
to ALDFG through the
ATS Circular Economy Develop partnerships
Blueprint with private sector and
communities in
reducing/managing
ALDFG

Enhance awareness
and capacity in

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 22
 fisheries sector in
order to reduce &
process waste at sea

1.2.3 Strengthen, and Encourage and Develop/strengthen National/sub-national

improve assist countries to policies and legal and ALDFG management
implementation of develop/ strengthen economic instruments policies, laws,
existing legal legal and economic to reduce ALDFG agreements and
frameworks and instruments and (e.g., legislation implementation
agreements related to incentives to reduce requiring fishing gear mechanisms in place
ALDFG (M,H) ALDFG marking, etc.)
National or local-level
Promote regional Support national incentive schemes or
compliance with compliance with industry partnerships
MARPOL provisions relevant instruments in place to reduce
(Annex V) including MARPOL ALDFG
Annex V provisions
and IMO mandatory Adherence to
gear marking international
provisions (currently commitments for
under development) ALDFG reporting and
fishing gear marking
requirements

LINKAGES:

ATS/SAP:
1.2.1 – See Operational Objective 4.2 (Sea Turtle Regional Action Plan, ALDFG content), and
Regional EAFM Plan developed under ATSEA-2 (E1O1 on managing bycatch of non-target
species to acceptable levels and E1O2M6 on ensuring all fishing gears are uniquely marked to
identify ownership)

External:
IMO 2017 Guidelines on the Implementation of MARPOL Annex 5
IMO Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships (Outcome 1)
FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (1995)
FAO Voluntary Guidelines on the Marking of Fishing Gear
Global Partnership for Marine Litter (GPML/UNEP)
Global Ghost Gear Initiative
Relevant Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs)

23 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
SAP Component 2: Preventing and responding to oil spills

Component Goal: Ecosystem impacts from oil spills prevented or reduced through enhanced
regional coordination and best practices

The Arafura and Timor Seas are rich in gas and oil reserves, which have the potential to provide
high value to the communities of the ATS. However, the sector carries intrinsic risks; accidental
discharge or loss of crude oil from offshore platforms and wells, tankers and pipelines may result
in environmental impacts which can have significant flow-on economic and social impacts.

This SAP component is concerned with strengthening regional capacity to avoid and respond to
oil spill by enhancing regional coordination and developing regional-level capacity reducing the
incidence of oil spill, and in the case of a spill, minimising impacts by facilitating coordinated
regional response, capacities and resources.

Operational Objective 2.1 is concerned with the establishment and operationalisation of a

regional coordination mechanism, and the requisite capacities and resources required to reduce
the incidence of oil spill and enhance the effectiveness of regional responses, especially in
transboundary areas.

OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE 2.1

Strengthen regional coordination and capacities on oil spill preparedness and response

TARGETS

Adoption of 1 x regional coordination mechanism and Framework Agreement for oil spill
preparedness and response in the ATS (process target)

TARGET INDICATORS:

# Successful adoption of new coordination mechanism, RCC endorsement of framework

agreement (process indicator)

PRIORITY ACTIONS SUPPORTING INDICATIVE ACTION INDICATORS

REGIONAL SUPPORTING
Timeframe – S,M,L ACTIVITIES NATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Priority – L,M,H

2.1.1 Gap Assessment on Coordinate the Contribute to the gap Gap Assessment
oil spill preparedness delivery of the assessment on delivered
and response regional Gap national oil spill
regulations, capacities Assessment on oil preparedness and
and resources in the spill preparedness response regulations
ATS region (S,M) and response and capacities

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 24
2.1.2 Develop and adopt Based on Gap National-level Framework
a framework Assessment, commitments by Agreement / Joint
agreement and work coordinate the competent agencies Statement endorsed
programme for development and to contribute to the and implemented
transboundary adoption of a RSWG-OS and
cooperation on oil spill regional Joint Framework National
preparedness and Statement and Programme contributions to
response among the Framework Framework
ATS countries (S,H) Programme for ATS Develop/strengthen Agreement
transboundary and implement endorsed
cooperation on oil national and sub-
spill preparedness national policies,
and response laws, plans and
programs in support
of the regional
Framework
Programme, in line
with national targets,
priorities and needs

2.1.3 Build capacity on Based on findings of Based on findings of Capacity and

regional oil spill gap assessment, gap assessment, build awareness building
preparedness and develop and national and sub- programs/measures
response (M,M ) implement a national capacity on
capacity program oil spill preparedness Adherence of ATS
focused on Oil spill and response countries to relevant
preparedness and (including regulatory, international and
response – this may enforcement, offshore regional
include: and shoreline commitments
adequate capacity of response and clean up, related to marine
regulators to assess oil disposal, damage pollution reduction,
risks, application of assessment, prevention and
risk frameworks, compensation, etc) liability, including
recovery, relevant IMO
community-level conventions, and the
action.) International Oil
Pollution
Progress the Compensation
adoption of oil spill (IOPC) Funds
preparedness,
response and
liability standards
including OPRC
1990 and the
International Oil
Pollution
Compensation
(IOPC) Funds across
the ATS region

25 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
2.1.4 Develop regional Based on findings of Strengthen Regional oil spill
resources to support oil gap assessment, national oil spill information /
spill preparedness and develop resources – contingency plans knowledge sharing
response in the ATS these may include in concert with the system developed
region (M,M) joint regional oil
Support regional spill contingency Regional oil spill
sharing of data, plan (including early-warning /
knowledge and best monitoring and monitoring and
practices, and reporting system, reporting platform
develop resources & early warning established
lessons learned system and
response Joint Regional Oil
Design and develop a arrangements) Spill Contingency
regional early- Plan endorsed
warning / monitoring
and reporting Partnerships with oil
platform and gas industry and
oil spill response
Scope and progress if associations
appropriate the established
development of a
joint regional oil spill National Oil Spill
contingency plan, Contingency Plans
including joint oil created or aligned
spill risk assessment with Regional Plan
and modelling and
sensitivity mapping

Develop and/or
formalise
partnerships with oil
and gas industry and
oil spill response
associations
LINKAGES:

External:
International Convention on Civil Liability (CLC) for Oil Pollution Damage (IMO)
IOPC Funds Convention

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 26
SAP Component 3: Reducing the incidence of small-scale IUU fishing in
transboundary areas

Component Goal: Reduce small-scale illegal fishing through improved management

arrangements in transboundary areas in support of RPOA/NPOA-IUUF

Component 3 is focused on improving the management of those small-scale capture fisheries

(and related post-harvest activities) that may be operating illegally, are unreported, or are
unregulated in ATS transboundary areas. This may be due to a number of potential causes; small-
scale fishers may be practicing their fishing operations according to long-standing cultural
identities or customary practices that may span national jurisdictions, their activities may be
influenced by trans-boundary market forces and supply chains (especially where formal markets
are under-developed in remote areas), or they may operate in ambiguous legal contexts, such as
disputed territories or in fishing grounds which straddle jurisdictional boundaries. This
component is intended to complement the ongoing work of the existing RPOA-IUU regional
coordination mechanism, including through the ATS MCS sub-regional group and RPOA-IUU’s
annual workplan. It also aligns with broader commitments made by ATS Countries to adopt the
Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food
Security and Poverty Eradication (the ‘SSF Guidelines’).

Operational Objective 3.1 is focused on improving the management of transboundary small-scale

fisheries that may be illegal, unreported, or unregulated. This will be based on assessments to
identify and prioritise the transboundary ‘hotspots’ that require strategic interventions. Based
on these assessments, a range of management tools and agreements may be developed to
manage these sites, including bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements and instruments,
management plans or community plans of action. These agreements will be supported by direct
engagement with fishing communities, including targeted awareness raising and capacity
building, and piloting local-level monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) schemes. Incentives,
including community livelihood support and supply chain interventions, will be developed to
address the drivers leading to IUU behaviour, and to improve livelihood outcomes for
communities and small-scale fishers.

OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE 3.1

Create effective agreements and incentives to improve management of small-scale
fisheries operating illegally in transboundary areas

TARGETS

A new regional assessment of transboundary small-scale IUU fishing (TB-SS-IUUF) is completed

for the ATS (process target)

At least 3 new agreements (e.g., FIP, management plans or community-based programs) created
to jointly manage fishing activity at identified IUU fishing hotspots in the ATS region (process
target)

27 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
25-50% reductions in illegal fishing at three identified IUU fishing hotspot sites* (threat
reduction target)

At least 3* small-scale fisheries benefit from improved management and reduction of IUU
fishing* (socio-economic target)

At least 5,000 fisheries livelihood beneficiaries benefit from improved management, IUU fishing
reduction and alternative livelihoods* (socio-economic target)

* subject to findings of the regional assessment of small-scale IUU

TARGET INDICATORS:

Regional assessment on small scale transboundary IUU fishing; Number of transboundary SSF-
IUUF plans/agreements are developed and endorsed (process indicators)

Number of reported illegal fishing cases in identified SSF-IUUF hotspot sites (threat reduction
indicator)

Fisheries incomes and other socio-economic indicators, number of fisheries livelihood

beneficiaries (socio-economic indicators)

PRIORITY ACTIONS SUPPORTING INDICATIVE ACTION INDICATORS

REGIONAL SUPPORTING
Timeframe – S,M,L ACTIVITIES NATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Priority – L,M,H

3.1.1 Identify and Develop and Develop appropriate Regional assessment

evaluate TB-SS-IUUF endorse a local working of TB-SS-IUUF
hotspots in order to methodology to definition/s of SSF to hotspots
prioritise conduct the hotspot support hotspot
transboundary assessments assessment Number of hotspots
response (S, H) prioritised for action
Conduct analysis to Facilitate hotspot
identify hotspots analyses at local level
and root causes and
profile fisheries Document fisheries-
related cultural and
Assess, select and traditional ecological
prioritise knowledge (TEK) at
intervention sites identified hotspots

3.1.2 Based on Facilitate regional or Develop National/sub- Number of identified

outcomes of regional bilateral/trilateral national CB-POA/ hotspots covered by
evaluation 3.1.1, engagement to fisheries agreements,
develop effective develop management plans Community-Based
agreements, agreements, considering EAFM, Programs and
management plans or fisheries RBM and GESI management plans
Community-Based management principles, climate

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 28
Programs or Plans of plans, CB-POA, change adaptation TEK incorporated in
Action (CB-POA) to considering relevant actions and TEK (as agreements,
manage priority small- international and appropriate) Community-Based
scale transboundary regional Programs and
IUU fishing (M,H) commitments management plans
related to In identified SS-IUUF
combating IUU hotspot sites
fishing and
sustainable fisheries Adherence to
(e.g., NPOA-IUU, international and
FAO Code of regional
Conduct for commitments related
Responsible to combating IUU
Fisheries, etc.) fishing and
sustainable fisheries
Within agreements, (e.g., NPOA-IUU, FAO
fisheries Code of Conduct for
management Responsible Fisheries,
plans, CB-POA for etc.)
identified hotspots,
incorporate
principles of climate-
readiness, EAFM,
RBM, GESI, and
sustainable blue
economy
development etc.

3.1.3 Operationalise Facilitate regional Operationalise Number of fishing

agreements, consultation and/or agreements at the communities
Community-Based capacity building to local level in implementing
Programs and support partnership with agreements,
management plans implementation of fishing communities Community-Based
(3.1.2) at the local the agreements and and associations Programs and
level in partnership effective management plans
with fishing engagement of Improve regulatory created
communities (M,H) fishing communities compliance at
at identified SS-TB- identified hotspots Progress towards and
IUU fishing hotspots /or implementation of
Improve community regional and
Operationalise and capacity in multilateral
monitor local-level monitoring, control commitments related
MCS plans in and surveillance to combating IUU
transboundary areas (MCS) and sustainable fishing and
fisheries sustainable fisheries
(e.g., NPOA-IUU, FAO
Local ‘Climate- Code of Conduct for
proofing’ of local Responsible Fisheries,
fisheries improvement FAO Port State
plans and programs

29 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
 Measures Agreements,
Local-level awareness etc.)
and capacity raising
activities to engage Fisheries indicators
fisher communities including landed catch
volumes, CPUE, stock
Implement relevant assessments, etc.
EAFM and Rights-
based Management
Plans developed
under ATSEA-2

3.1.4 Support Develop and pilot Implementation of Number of fisheries

implementation of value chain pilot value chain associations / fishers
agreements, interventions, interventions, supported by
Community-Based livelihood livelihood interventions
Programs and diversification and diversification
management plans capacity building programs, and Women supported as
(from 3.1.2) with value programs awareness and proportion of total
chain interventions, capacity building beneficiaries
livelihood Specific gender-
diversification focused Improving access to Number of case
programs and interventions to market and studies developed
capacity building and improve livelihood promoting blue
awareness (M,H) outcomes for economic activities
women and (e.g., for fisheries Socio-economic
marginalised products, including indicators relevant to
community handling, storage, interventions
members sustainable energy, including catch value,
etc.). household income,
Share case studies etc.
and good practices
on coastal livelihood
diversification and
resilience for
replication
LINKAGES:

ATS/SAP:
ATS EAFM Plan for Red Snapper

EXTERNAL:
Regional and National Plan(s) of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices including
Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (RPOA-IUU, NPOA-IUU)

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 30
SAP Component 4: Increase resilience of regional populations of
endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species and critical
habitats
Component Goal: Important regional populations of priority ETP species and their critical
habitats are stabilised

This project component is concerned with stabilising, and where possible recovering certain
populations of Endangered, Threatened and Protected (ETP) species known to utilise marine and
coastal habitats across the ATS region. The ATS region hosts ETP numerous species, including
dugong; six species of sea turtles (such as green turtle, hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, olive
ridley and flatback turtle); and several shark and ray species (such as largetooth sawfish, green
sawfish and whale shark). ETP species may be species on international listings, such as the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the Convention of Migratory
Species (CMS), and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), or those
recognised within national or sub-national legislative instruments and protected species lists.

The component incorporates actions which considers the needs of regional populations of
priority species. It also incorporates ‘area-based measures’ (including MPAs and other effective
area-based conservation measures, or ‘OECMs’) intended to safeguard critical habitats of those
species; such work will deliver broader benefits to a range of species, while in many cases also
safeguarding ecosystem functions that benefit people.

Operational Objective 4.1 is concerned with strengthening regional collaboration in order to

increase the effectiveness of ETP conservation efforts. In recognising that the ATS region is host
to numerous ETP species which require focused, collaborative action, ATSEA will develop
regional capacity to drive conservation and management of those ETP species with regional
distribution, migratory habits, or that face regional or transboundary threats. Under the ATSEA
Regional Governance Mechanism, regional coordination will be strengthened to facilitate
regional responses to the drivers of declines among ETP species, and to assist existing national-
level efforts where a regional dimension may be required. Further, identification of future
priority target species and research priorities will be agreed by the regional mechanism to inform
future collaborative action. Future initiatives under this component may include relevant
collaborations with, for the example, the Secretariates of the CMS Memorandum of
Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs (Dugong dugon) and their
Habitats throughout their Range and the CMS Memorandum of Understanding on the
Conservation of Migratory Sharks. This component also includes the ongoing implementation of
the existing Regional Action Plan (RAP) for Sea Turtles in the ATS, as developed under the
auspices of ATSEA-2.

31 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
 OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE 4.1
Enhance collaborative management of priority transboundary or migratory
populations of ETP species
TARGETS

Delivery of regional priority actions in Sea Turtle RAP (process target)

At least one new RAP developed for priority transboundary ETP species or species groups*
(process target)

At least 25% reduction in identified threats for prioritised ETP species** (threat reduction target)

Stable long-term trend in sea turtle nest counts / population census at selected ATS priority
sites (environmental status target)

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) incorporated in management systems for at least one
ETP species / species groups (socio-economic target)

[mid-term: additional targets related to ETP species may be developed for new priority groups**]

*other than sea turtles – already covered by ATS sea turtle RAP
**subject to ETP species prioritisation (4.1.2) and RAP targets, actions and priority sites (4.1.3)

TARGET INDICATORS:

Proportion of Sea Turtle RAP actions implemented; number of new RAP developed for priority
transboundary ETP species or species group (process indicators)

Percentage reduction in identified threats for prioritised ETP species (threat reduction
indicator)

Trend in sea turtle nest counts, population census at selected ATS priority sites (environmental
status indicators)

# of traditional communities engaged in management of ETP species (socio-economic

indicators)

PRIORITY ACTIONS SUPPORTING INDICATIVE ACTION INDICATORS

REGIONAL SUPPORTING
Timeframe – S,M,L ACTIVITIES NATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Priority – L,M,H

4.1.1 Deliver and Implement regional- Implement national- % of actions in RAP

harmonise key priority level actions level actions outlined and NPOAs
actions outlined in the outlined in the sea in the sea turtle RAP implemented
Regional Action Plan turtle RAP
for the Protection of Implement and Monitoring and
Sea Turtles in the Facilitate harmonise reporting systems in
Arafura and Timor implementation of transboundary actions place including data
Seas (‘RAP’) and sea of NPOAs (AUS, IND) collection on

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 32
turtle National Plans transboundary population status,
of Action (NPOAs) aspects of AUS and Build awareness and biological data, turtle
(M,H) IND NPOAs capacity in relation to mortality from known
local monitoring and threats (e.g., observer
Scope opportunities bycatch handling of data), etc.
to support Papua sea turtles
New Guinea and New NPOAs scoped
Timor-Leste to Share relevant local for PNG and T-L
develop NPOAs for research and data and
sea turtles support further Population status and
studies and biological data from
Coordinate monitoring to help key sites identified in
additional baseline address information RAP
studies, mapping gaps
and monitoring of Available data on
sea turtles and turtle mortality from
critical habitats to known threats (e.g.,
address identified observer data)
gaps in the RAP

4.1.2 Regional Assess existing Contribute to the Completion and

assessment to measures related regional endorsement of
prioritise target to collaborative prioritisation of regional prioritisation
species/groups for action on ETP target ETP species exercise
collaborative action species in the and groups for
and research on region and collaborative action
transboundary and identify synergies and research
migratory populations and opportunities
of ETP species (M,H)
Coordinate a
regional process
of prioritization of
ETP species for
collaborative
action and
research

Facilitate data and

information sharing
among ATS country

4.1.3 Implement a Based on regional Develop, Regional and

regional program of prioritisation, strengthen and national actions and
collaborative research harmonise NAPs or plans to conserve
and action on regional develop and NPOAs on identified ETP species (i.e.,
transboundary ETP implement climate- priority TB and RPOAs, NBSAPs,
species in ATS (L,H) smart Regional migratory ETP recovery plans, etc.)
Action Plans (RAPs) species, considering
for priority ETP climate-related Regional research
species strategies and information-

33 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
 sharing platform on
Regional Support priority
collaborative collaborative transboundary ETP
research on TB and research and species
migratory information sharing
populations of ETP on regional Adherence of ATS
species transboundary ETP countries to
species in ATS relevant
Progress the international and
Convention on Climate-related regional
Migratory Species strategies commitments on
(CMS) across the considered in RAPs the protection of
ATS region and and NAPs for key and
other relevant priority ETP species endangered marine
policies species (CITES,
CMS, CTI, etc.)
through national
policies and laws
and enforcement
mechanisms

LINKAGES:

ATS/SAP:
Regional Action Plan for the Protection of Sea Turtles in the Arafura and Timor Seas (‘RAP’),
Themes 1-2 (regional) and 3-6 (national-level).
Theme 1: Addressing discards of fishing gear given the impacts on sea turtles
Theme 2: Establish funding mechanism
Theme 3: Addressing sea turtle bycatch in the Arafura Sea prawn fishery
Theme 4: Enhanced conservation of sea turtles in Timor-Leste
Theme 5: Enhanced conservation of sea turtles in Indonesia with a focus on Aru
Theme 6: Enhanced conservation of sea turtles in Papua New Guinea

EXTERNAL:
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)

Operational Objective 4.2 is concerned with protecting the critical habitats of ETP species
through the implementation of area-based management; primarily the implementation of a
regional network of marine protected areas (MPAs), as well as appropriate other effective (area-
based) conservation measures (OECMs). As environmental stresses on critical habitats mount,
establishment and effective management of a regionally representative network of MPAs and
OECMs can help to safeguard species by protecting habitats and maintaining connectivity. MPA
networks can help to protect ETP species and their critical habitats from the worst impacts of
climate change by reducing stresses, aiding adaptation (such as providing greater areas for
species’ movement to avoid stresses) and by boosting reproductive capacity in situ, supporting
repopulation across the region.

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 34
 OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE 4.2
Build resilience of ATS critical habitats and ecosystems against climate change through
effective area-based management
TARGETS

70,000km2 of new MPAs gazetted (20% MPA coverage for ATS, up from 2023 baseline of
263,000km2, or 16% coverage) (process target)

10,000 km2 of new Other Effective (area-based) Conservation Measures (OECM) created
(process target)

- A new regional commitment to achieve 20-30% of ATS under effective area-based protection to
contribute to 30x30 ambition, incorporating both MPAs + OECMs (process target)

- Management effectiveness increases of at least 25% are observed in at least 25% of MPAs in the
ATS MPA network (threat reduction target)

25-30% of ATS critical habitats and ecosystems under effective area-based protection
(‘environmental status’ target)

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) incorporated in management systems for at least 3x

sites (‘socio-economic’ target)

TARGET INDICATORS:

% areal coverage of new MPAs and OECMs; regional commitment to contribute to 30x30
ambition (process indicators)

MPA management effectiveness (threat reduction indicator)

% of critical habitats and ecosystems under effective area-based protection (environmental

status indicator)

# of traditional communities engaged in area-based management (socio-economic indicator)

PRIORITY ACTIONS SUPPORTING INDICATIVE ACTION INDICATORS

REGIONAL SUPPORTING
Timeframe – S,M,L ACTIVITIES NATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Priority – L,M,H

4.2.1 Improve Update the MPA Delivery of agreed Area coverage of

coverage and Network plan to national actions MPAs and OECMs
management support SAP related to the ATS (km2)
effectiveness of MPAs implementation MPA Network
in the ATS considering (incorporating National policies and
MPA Network Design MPAs, OECMs and Develop climate- laws and enforcement
and needs of ETP needs of priority SMART Marine Spatial mechanisms in support
species (M, H) ETP species) Plan (MSP) to of the MPAs/MSP/MPA
strengthen MPA network

35 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
 Regional network and protect Inclusion of
collaboration on critical habitats conservation of
delivery of agreed threatened and
elements of the ATS Promote alternative, migratory species in
MPA Network supplementary and MPA design (Area
Design sustainable livelihoods allocated for the
associated with MPAs protection of ETP
Develop guidance species & ETP critical
for incorporating Incorporate TEK in habitats)
Traditional MPA planning and
Ecological management MPA management
Knowledge (TEK) in effectiveness (e.g.,
MPA management EVIKA, METT)

Scope and facilitate Alternative,

the creation of a supplementary and
new transboundary sustainable livelihoods
MPA in MPA areas

Coordinate regional
capacity building
and exchanges in
support of the ATS
MPA network

4.2.2 Improve Identify and assess Contribute data and Number of ETP critical
resilience of ETP ETP critical habitats expertise to habitat assessments
species by protecting outside MPAs assessments undertaken
identified critical
habitats outside of Regional Develop and Number of ETP species
MPAs (M,H) assessment of implement OECM covered by
OECM (Other opportunities to Assessments
Effective Area based increase protection
Conservation of critical habitats Number of OECM
Measures) plans developed
opportunities to Integrate local (incorporating TEK
protect critical knowledge and as appropriate)
habitats Traditional Ecological
Knowledge (TEK) in
management of
critical habitats

4.2.3 Support Coordinate the Coordinate Climate Number of climate

management of regional adoption of Change Vulnerability change strategies
critical habitats in ‘Mainstreaming of Assessments (CCVA) developed for, or
priority MPAs and Climate Change into of critical habitats to incorporated in MPAs
OECMs through the Local Assessments inform adaptation and OECM plans
development/inclusion and Planning: Guide and management
of climate change for Facilitators and strategies/plans

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 36
 adaptation strategies Decision-makers’
(M,H) (CCVA Guide) Develop and
implement local
adaptation strategies
at priority sites based
on CCVAs

Capacity building on
climate change
adaptation based on
the Guide for
Facilitators and
Decision-makers
LINKAGES:

ATS/SAP:
MPA Network Design and Roadmap

EXTERNAL:
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) / Kunming-Montreal Global biodiversity framework
(GBF)
National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP)

3.4 Mainstreaming Climate Change and GESI Objectives in the SAP

In addition to the four issue-driven SAP components outlined above, this SAP incorporates two
‘cross-cutting’ strategic objectives to be mainstreamed in the implementation of the four
components.

Climate change objectives are included to ensure that climate change is effectively
mainstreamed in the implementation of this SAP (i.e. in addition to specific climate change
priority actions outlined in Components 1-4).

Gender, equity and social inclusion (GESI) objectives are also incorporated to ensure that GESI
considerations and practices are mainstreamed in the implementation of this SAP.

3.4.1. Mainstreaming Climate Change

Climate change is recognised as a driver (or a set of related drivers) of the transboundary
environmental issues outlined in the TDA. To varying degrees, climate change is relevant to the
four SAP components – both from a mitigation perspective (reducing regional contributions to
the anthropogenic causes of climate change) and with regards to adaptation (reducing or
managing the impacts of climate change within the system bounds).

Accordingly, climate change has been considered throughout the development of this plan,
and in the design of SAP priority actions. This is to ensure that SAP actions are both resilient in
the face of climate change impacts, and adaptive enough to respond to changing conditions.

37 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
Many of the specific climate-related drivers exist beyond the bounds of the ATS system and may
therefore not be adequately addressed by the SAP. However, this SAP incorporates both
mitigation and adaptation responses that are possible within the ATS.

Key references for this SAP include:

• ATSEA Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) – Johnson, 2021

• Guide for Facilitators (“The Guide”): Using the Arafura & Timor Seas Climate Change
Vulnerability Assessments Results (Johnson, 2021b)

How climate change contributes to the issues

The Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) conducted by ATSEA-2 for the ATS region
identified species, habitats, and fisheries vulnerable to future climate change, and identified local
vulnerability ‘hotspots’ where impacts may be more pronounced. Further, a suite of potential
social and economic impacts has been identified through causal chain analyses; these included
coastal inundation and salination, increased risk of loss of property in coastal areas, increased risk
of damage to maritime and coastal infrastructure, food insecurity and public health impacts.
Annex 5 highlights some of the key impacts of climate change in relation to the priority
transboundary issues identified.

Responding to climate change through mainstreaming

The following general approaches have been integrated within the SAP framework design, in
order to support a climate change response in SAP implementation:

Dealing with uncertainty – this plan has been designed in such a way that it is implementable
even where uncertainties exist (such as the severity or timeframes of certain climate change
impacts)

No-regrets options – this plan incorporates measures that are of benefit regardless of the extent
to which climate change impacts are realised

Integration measures – this plan incorporates integrated approaches, including ICM, marine
spatial planning, and land-sea connectivity, all of which can support climate change mitigation
and adaptation measures

Mitigation and adaptation – this plan incorporates mitigation measures (such as the protection
of carbon-rich coastal ecosystems) alongside measures which support adaptation to the impacts
of climate change

Mainstreaming a climate change response in the SAP

The table below highlights specific SAP objectives, targets and priority actions in support of
climate change mainstreaming:

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 38
 OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE CC.1
Effective mainstreaming of climate change response in SAP implementation

TARGETS

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) updated (process target)

Local high-resolution CCVAs produced (process target)

Implementation plans for Components 1-4 with climate-related actions (process target)

TARGET INDICATORS:

Proportion of SAP implementation measures that incorporate CCVA; proportion of SAP

implementation measures that incorporate climate-related actions (process indicators)

PRIORITY ACTIONS SUPPORTING INDICATIVE ACTION INDICATORS

REGIONAL SUPPORTING
ACTIVITIES NATIONAL ACTIVITIES

CC.1.1 Incorporate Update CCVAs Undertake local-level Updated regional

Climate Change periodically (at least high resolution CCVA
Vulnerability every 5 years) to CCVAs for new
Assessments (CCVA) inform design and implementation sites CCVAs in
in decision-making implementation of implementation / local
SAP site-based sites
interventions

Support the
production of high
resolution CCVAs for
new
implementation
sites

CC.1.2 Integrate Promote adoption Apply ‘The Guide’ at Local application of

climate change of ‘The Guide’ and local implementation the guide
concerns in local other tools sites to integrate
planning and throughout the climate change
implementation region concerns in existing
planning frameworks
Provide support and (e.g., ICM, EAFM,
resources related to MPAs, etc.)
use of ‘The Guide’

Update ‘The Guide’

as required

39 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
 CC.1.3 Implement Refer to Annex 5 Refer to Annex 5 Component 1-4 actions
climate-specific and outputs showing
priority actions in climate change-related
Components 1-4 responses

CC.1.4 Contribute to Incorporate climate Align capacity Capacity building

regional capacity for change building materials showing
responding to climate considerations in opportunities at local climate change-related
change capacity building level actions/considerations
where appropriate,
such as thematically-
focused training
(EAFM, or MPAs)

CC.1.5 Contribute to Identify Contribute ATS data Climate-related data

CC research and opportunities within to relevant climate- and assessments in the
monitoring M&E framework to related information ATS consolidated and
contribute systems, frameworks shared in appropriate
and datasets forums

3.4.2. Mainstreaming Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI)

In the SAP context, GESI considers social inclusion as it relates to gender (including women and
men), children and youth, the elderly, those living with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples (IPs),
religious minorities and migrant populations and other groups who may be marginalised.

Mainstreaming a GESI approach within the SAP not only benefits those marginalised groups who
may be impacted by transboundary problems, it also increases the effectiveness of SAP
governance and implementation.

For example, it can support women’s improved access to resources, support the use of
traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) in resource management, ensure that policy encompasses
the specific resource needs of a wide range of user groups, or ensure representative decision-
making that includes a diversity of views, expertise and local knowledge.

Strategic entry points for GESI mainstreaming include:

• determination of the impact of transboundary problems on men and women

• production of gender-sensitive thematic studies and assessments
• gender analysis/collection and analysis of sex-disaggregated data

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 40
ATSEA: GESI Progress to date:

Through the implementation of the 2012 SAP, ATSEA has delivered:

• Regional GESI Survey and Assessment focused on ATSEA-2 project sites, with country
information
• Regional GESI Action Plan with monitoring and reporting guidance tools: Currently
tailored to address specific targets/initiatives under ATSEA-2; Can serve as reference
for development of a GESI Action Plan for SAP
• Site-specific Action Plans for Aru and Rote Ndao, Indonesia and linked to EAFM Plan
and ICM program implementation; Can serve as example/reference for local GESI
mainstreaming linked to integrated management approaches
• Targeted GESI initiatives where higher impact and effectiveness are envisioned
• Detailed assessments of the impacts of transboundary problems along gender lines
(including through the use of causal chain analyses)
• Production of gender-sensitive regional thematic assessments

This progress provides a strong basis for the mainstreaming of GESI in the 2024-2033 ATS SAP.
The table below highlights specific SAP objectives, targets and priority actions in support of GESI
mainstreaming:

OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE GESI.1

Effective mainstreaming of GESI in SAP governance and implementation

TARGETS

ATSEA GESI Action Plan 2024-2033 (process target)

Women represent at least 50% of beneficiaries of project livelihood activities and outcomes
(socio-economic target)

TARGET INDICATORS:

Specific project participation targets for women, Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and other identified
groups outlined in GESI Action Plan (socio-economic indicator)

PRIORITY ACTIONS SUPPORTING INDICATIVE ACTION INDICATORS

REGIONAL SUPPORTING
ACTIVITIES NATIONAL ACTIVITIES

GESI.1.1 Mainstream GESI Update the ATSEA Incorporate GESI ATSEA GESI Action
considerations in SAP GESI Action Plan Action Plans in Plan 2024-2033
governance and Social Inclusion updated NAPs
Framework to
support
implementation of
ATS-SAP 2024-2033

41 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
 Develop SOP/Guide GESI mainstreamed in
for mainstreaming SAP and NAPs
GESI in SAP and planning and
NAPs planning and implementation as
implementation reflected in M&E
reports

Ensure GESI is Incorporate GESI GESI communications

mainstreamed in considerations in capacity and
ATSEA design of capacity engagement targets
Communications, building and contained in GESI
Stakeholder awareness activities Action Plan 2024-2033
Engagement and and access to
Capacity Building information

Ensure inclusive GESI governance

governance by targets contained in
incorporating GESI Action Plan
targets for equal 2024-2033
participation or
representation in
planning, decision-
making, etc.

Implement the GESI GESI indicators

framework and incorporated in SAP
align with M&E M&E System
system

GESI.1.2 Mainstream Ensure equitable Scale up GESI best Proportion of men

GESI considerations in access to SAP practices and lessons and women
SAP implementation and economic learned from ATSEA- benefiting from
field-based interventions opportunities and 2 through future site programme’s
alternative interventions and economic and
livelihoods actions livelihoods
opportunities

Incorporate GESI in Incorporate Proportion of men

design and planning Traditional Ecological and women
of site-based EAFM, Knowledge (TEK) participating in
ICM, area-based and the rights of programme design,
management, Indigenous Peoples planning and
climate change (IPs) in SAP implementation.
adaptation and implementation of
other-site based site-based Number of activities
initiatives interventions and specifically intended
policies to overcome barriers
to participation (e.g.,
for women, or
marginalised groups)

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 42
CHAPTER 4. SAP GOVERNANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION

43 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
Good governance is an essential foundation for the implementation of this SAP, and more
broadly, for the management of large marine ecosystems in support of a vibrant and sustainable
regional blue economy. Similarly, robust frameworks for project management, implementation
and monitoring are essential for successful delivery, along with the mainstreaming of cross-
cutting concerns outlined in Section 3 (Climate Change, and GESI). The following section outlines
the approaches, mechanisms and processes that will be followed in order to implement this SAP.

4.1. SAP Governance and Institutional Arrangements

The inaugural ATSEA SAP was established on the basis of a joint commitment by Australia,
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste for the improved management and governance of
the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) ecosystems. While this joint commitment remains in place to
support the second SAP iteration, the dimensions of the transboundary challenges, and
coordination needs have evolved, requiring a more robust and refined governance framework to
support the next decade of cooperative action.

A comprehensive governance framework for ATSEA was designed and endorsed1 by the RSC. This
framework builds on the first Ministerial Declaration, and incorporates the following key entities:

A Council of Ministers composed of Ministers from Country focal ministries, which will serve as
the highest decision-making body for the regional collaboration, providing overall direction and
priorities in line with the founding purpose of ATSEF/ATSEA;

A Regional Coordination Committee (RCC) composed of National Focal Points/Chair from each
National Coordination Committee, which will serve as the regional policy and decision-making
body to coordinate formulation of supporting programs and operational policies for the
implementation of the SAP

A Regional Secretariat which will handle day-to-day coordination with the different entities of
the RGM, including provision of technical, secretarial, monitoring and reporting services in
support of SAP implementation.

Regional Stakeholder Working Group (RSWG) will provide expert/technical and cross issue
advice to the Regional Coordination Committee (RCC) and may be organized in line with the
Components of the Updated SAP. The RSWG may include representatives from NSWGs and ATS
governments, selected regional experts, NGO, university, community/traditional
owners/women’s groups, private sector and development partners.

At national level, these structures would be supported by National Coordination Committees

(NCCs), National Secretariats (NSs) and National Stakeholder Working Groups (NSWGs), to be
created at the discretion of the four littoral countries.

Strategic Development Partners will be engaged to support and fund targeted projects
contributing to SAP implementation.

1
The Regional Governance Mechanism (RGM) for ATSEA was endorsed by the RSC at the July 2023 intersessional meeting.

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 44
Figure 4 – ATS Regional Governance Mechanism (RGM)

The Regional Coordination Committee will have overall responsibility for the implementation of
the SAP, including the creation and endorsement of work programmes and plans, overseeing
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (MER), and resource allocation. The Regional Secretariat
may support SAP implementation by creating and supporting Regional Stakeholder Working
Groups (RSWGs) for programme components, effectively creating regional ‘teams’ to oversee
implementation, coordination and component-level MER.

National Action Programmes (NAPs) may also be created to identify and align specific national-
level actions with the regional-level objectives and priority actions outlined in the ATS-SAP
2024-2033.

4.2. Governance Objectives

Building on the governance structure outlined above, the following Governance objectives relate
to how the SAP is implemented; the structures and processes required for successful
implementation.

Objective G.1 is focused on creating and sustaining the regional coordination mechanisms,
structures and processes required to effectively implement the SAP programme of work; this
includes the creation and operation of appropriate coordination and management components
including working groups within the regional governance mechanism, the development of 5-year
implementation plans and annual work plans, the development of monitoring and evaluation and
adaptive management systems, and processes to ensure inclusivity.

45 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
As a key enabling mechanism, the governance priority actions and targets are anticipated to be
established within the initial three years of the program's inception, and are envisioned to
continue to support the sustainable implementation of the SAP.

GOVERNANCE OBJECTIVE G.1

Effective and efficient regional coordination to support SAP implementation
and adaptive management

TARGETS

A self-sustaining regional coordination mechanism in place to support SAP implementation and

adaptive management (process target)

M&E system implemented (process target)

TARGET INDICATORS:

Operational RGM; SAP Monitoring System (process indicators)

PRIORITY ACTION SUPPORTING INDICATIVE SUPPORTING ACTION INDICATORS

REGIONAL ACTIVITIES NATIONAL ACTIVITIES

G.1.1 Establish regional Operationalise the RCC Operationalise the RGM established and
coordinating and Regional national coordination operational with
mechanisms, enabling Secretariat to serve as and management supporting staff and
frameworks and funding the regional mechanism to support financial support
mechanisms, to coordination and the planning and secured
coordinate planning and management implementation of the
implementation, and mechanism for the SAP and NAPs (including RSWG established and
adaptive management planning and NCC, National operational
of SAP implementation of the Secretariat and National
SAP Stakeholder Working 5-year SAP and NAP
Groups) Implementation plans
Establish and and annual work plans
operationalise RSWG Develop appropriate adopted by the RCC and
to provide multi- enabling frameworks NCCs
sectoral and expert and policies to support
inputs to the planning SAP implementation # RCC, RSWG, NCC,
and implementation of NSWG meetings
the SAP components conducted

Support the # Ministers or high-level

establishment and officials participating in
coordinate with CoM/Level of country
national coordination representation at
mechanisms to ensure meetings
alignment of NAP
implementation with Extent to which forum
SAP or meeting discussions

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 46
 or outcomes influence
Establish partnerships policies or strategies
with Development
Partners to provide Level of multisectoral
targeted support to involvement in
SAP (and NAPs) RSWG/NSWG (NGOs,
implementation women’s groups,
private sector, etc.)
Implement the
Investment and # Cooperation
Financing Strategy and agreements or joint
Plan in order to secure projects with
financing Development Partners
support/commitments in support of SAP/NAPs
to sustain RGM implementation
operations

Organize regular
meetings/forums to
share progress and
impacts of
implementation of
priority regional and
national actions and
agree on ways forward

G1.2 SAP collaborative Facilitate 5-year SAP 5-year SAP and NAP 5-year SAP and NAP
planning and adaptive implementation implementation implementation plans
management planning and annual planning and annual work plans
review prepared
Annual workplans
Facilitate creation of Reports on annual, 5-
annual workplans and year, and 10-year SAP
budgets progress reviews (and
responses to
Conduct strategic recommendations)
reviews of SAP and
NAPs priorities, priority
actions and targets
(after 5 and 10 years
based on monitoring
report, or as requested
by RCC)

G1.3 Programme Develop and implement Regular monitoring and SAP M&E reports
Monitoring and comprehensive M&E evaluation of NAP prepared and
Evaluation and reporting system to implementation at NCC disseminated at
support SAP level, and reporting to specified frequencies
implementation, RCC in appropriate formats

47 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
 assessment and (for RCC and key
adaptive management stakeholders)

Package and
disseminate M&E
results to key targets

SAP and NAP

Monitoring Reports and
reviews (annual, after
2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 yrs)

Present progress
reviews of SAP in RCC
and Ministerial
Meetings

Knowledge
management

G.1.4 Stakeholder Updated stakeholder Stakeholder engagement Updated stakeholder

Engagement and engagement and and communications plan engagement and
Communications communications plan to to be developed in communications plan
be developed in support of SAP and NAP in support of the SAP
support of SAP and NAP developed
and implemented

4.3. SAP Implementation and Resource Mobilisation

4.3.1. Implementation Plans

A detailed five-year implementation plan will be developed to facilitate ongoing delivery of the
priority actions and supporting activities outlined in the SAP. The SAP implementation plan will
link to National Action Plans (NAPs), and serve as the basis for annual workplans and budgets. It
will also link SAP priority actions and activities to the Monitoring and Reporting System.

Further, in consultation with ATS member countries, a series of SAP concept notes has been
developed to expedite implementation of key aspects and foundational activities of the SAP, to
develop ‘proof of concept’ for key approaches, and to facilitate engagement with potential
funders and stakeholders.

Implementation planning will be informed by an updated Theory of Change (ToC) with detailed
results chains, intermediate outcomes, and updated assumptions, which will be developed
following the RSC endorsement of the SAP. This will help to ensure that activities are well-
targeted in terms of meeting SAP objectives, and that monitoring and evaluation of SAP
implementation is able to measure impact at appropriate levels (regional, national, sub-national).

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 48
4.3.2. SAP Financing

As part of the regional response to the identified environmental issues outlined in Components 1-
4, financial, human and institutional resources will be mobilised. The following section outlines
the approach to be taken to identify and commit the resources required for successful SAP
implementation.

SAP implementation will be financed according to a comprehensive financing plan, which is to be

completed following the endorsement of the SAP by the RSC. Ongoing financing needs will be
met through a diversity of fund sources and mechanisms and the financing strategy will outline
the key actions and partnerships required to mobilise the funds required across SAP technical
components 1-4, as well as supporting governance and institutional actions.

The financing plan will be developed based on a financial landscape assessment, detailed cost-
benefit analysis (CBA), a 5-year cost estimate, extensive stakeholder consultation and preliminary
identification of potential sources of funding and in-kind contributions, appropriate mechanisms
and governance arrangements for financial management. Further, annual budgeting and financial
planning will be required to provide detailed budgets in support of annual SAP action plans.

The SAP Financing Plan shall cover the following:

• Estimated contributions from national and subnational budgets (including existing and
pipeline programs or funded projects that align with updated SAP);
• identification of financing gaps; and
• potential alternative financing opportunities through public-private partnerships, donor
funding, and other arrangements.

Funding sources may include:

• Public financing including national and sub-national budgets, through combination of

assessed member country and discretionary (voluntary) contributions
• In-kind contributions
• External grants, loans and technical assistance agreements
• Specialised and tailored financial instruments including funds
• Innovative finance measures including carbon and climate-related funds, payment for
ecosystem services (PES), tariffs and fee systems,

During the SAP implementation period, ATSEA will also continue to support financing efforts
through new initiatives including engagement with potential funders and new funding
opportunities, partnering with the private sector and other actions, exploring emerging
financing instruments and supporting littoral countries in their efforts to do the same. In doing
so, it will be important to highlight the broad benefits of SAP financing, and frame them in the
context of the regional blue economy.

49 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
4.3.3. Capacity Building

ATSEA recognises the importance of building capacity for the wide range of individuals,
organisations, and institutions responsible for the ongoing management of the ATS region.
Emerging challenges and changing conditions demand an ongoing commitment to building
capability across a range of disciplines, including fisheries management, coastal zone
management, community engagement, administration, law enforcement, and science and
community engagement. This capacity development must occur at all levels, from community-
level and resource user, to managers of relevant government agencies, and political leaders.

Priority actions contained in this SAP that include capacity building actions include: 1.1.4, 1.2.2, 2.1.3,
3.1.3, 3.1.4, 4.1.1, 4.2.1

It is recommended that the above actions are used to inform the development of a detailed and
integrated regional capacity building plan. This will initially focus on the capacity needs of the
RGM at regional and national levels, to directly support SAP implementation. Expansion of this
capacity building scope to a broader set of stakeholders will also be considered as SAP
implementation progresses, particularly at SAP priority implementation sites.

4.3.4. Resource Mobilisation

Objective G.2 is focused on mobilising the financial and human resources required to implement
the SAP. Further detail on sustainable financing for the SAP is also outlined in the SAP Financing
Plan.

OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE G.2

Effective resource mobilisation to support SAP implementation

TARGETS

RSC-endorsed SAP Financing Plan (process target)

% of financing to implement the SAP secured (process target)

% of SAP priority actions implemented (by 2029, 2033) (process target)

TARGET INDICATORS

Funds raised to support SAP implementation, number of persons receiving capacity building
(process indicators)

PRIORITY ACTIONS SUPPORTING INDICATIVE INDICATORS

REGIONAL SUPPORTING
Timeframe – S,M,L ACTIVITIES NATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Priority – L,M,H

Develop and Implement relevant RSC-endorsed SAP

implement a detailed national-level Financing Plan

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 50
G.2.1 Funding and SAP Financing Plan activities outlined in
financing (S, H) [LINK] the SAP Financing Financing
Plan contributions
Promote the
SAP/NAPs and Streamline priority External funds raised
financing plans for actions in the SAP and
mainstreaming in the NAPs into national
planning and short, medium and
financing framework long-term planning
of the countries and and budget
potential partners at frameworks
the regional and
national levels Develop national/sub-
national programs/
Identify and projects in support of
coordinate the SAP and NAPs
opportunities for
project development Develop partnerships
for submission to with the private
donors and/or sector in support of
Strategic SAP/NAPs
Development implementation
Partners

Identify and
consolidate good
practices and
approaches in
developing
innovative financing
mechanisms for
potential application
in support of
SAP/NAPs
implementation

G.2.2 Capacity Develop and Implement relevant RSC-endorsed Capacity

implement a national-level Plan
detailed SAP activities outlined in
Capacity Plan (i.e. the SAP Capacity Plan # trained
consolidating
capacity-related # courses delivered
actions and activities
from Components 1-
4)

51 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
4.4. Programme Implementation Risk
A detailed risk assessment was conducted for the SAP, which highlights key risks associated with
SAP implementation (Annex 7). The risks were categorized according to the following
categories: 1) social and environmental; 2) financial; 3) operational; 4) organisational; 5) political;
and 6) regulatory. These categories were based on the UNDP Managing Risks Across UNDP
Programming and Operations Guide Notes. Proposed mitigation measures for the key risks were
also identified in Annex 7.

While it is challenging to accurately forecast risks over a ten-year planning horizon, it is expected
that many of the risks will remain relevant. Nonetheless, periodic reviews of the risk assessments
will be conducted according to the SAP Monitoring and Reporting System; this will facilitate
timely management of risks, as well as identification of emerging risks and corresponding
management measures.

4.5. Stakeholder Engagement and Communications

Effective stakeholder engagement is essential for successful SAP implementation. Stakeholders
may have direct or indirect responsibilities relating to SAP actions, they may be positively or
negatively impacted by the SAP, may be potential supporters or champions, or may hold
important local knowledge that is relevant to implementation.

The following initiatives will be employed to ensure effective stakeholder engagement and
communication in support of SAP implementation:

• Detailed stakeholder analysis conducted as part of Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis

(ATS-TDA 2023)
• SAP implementation will be informed by updated stakeholder engagement and
communications plan, to be jointly developed by the Regional Secretariat and Regional
Coordinating Committee
• The use of Free, Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) principles
• Detailed Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) framework

4.6. SAP Monitoring and Evaluation

The following section outlines the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) approach to be followed
during SAP implementation.

4.6.1. SAP Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System

A SAP Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system has been developed to support the
implementation of this SAP. The M&E system provides the structure, methodologies and
workflows needed by the RCC to achieve the following M&E objectives:

• Track progress and performance of SAP workplan implementation,

• Measure project impacts, including addressing threats, improving environmental status
and achieving social, economic and governance goals

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 52
 • Provide ‘feedback’ in the form of data that can be used to support adaptive
management.

The M&E Plan incorporates the following elements:

• M&E Framework and detailed plan

• Detailed descriptions on indicators, means of verification, risks and assumptions
• M&E institutional arrangements and enabling environment
• M&E workplan and timeline
• Detailed methodologies for monitoring/data collection and analysis at regional and
national levels
• Standardised monitoring and reporting forms and templates
• Additional guidance on the use of M&E outputs
• Identifying data sources and data collection processes
• Gender-sensitive M&E approaches and tools

The M&E Plan will be reviewed and updated in line with the ToC and detailed results chains that
will be developed for the SAP.

4.6.2. Programme Targets and Indicators

At the level of goal and objective, this SAP employs the following target and indicator types
adapted from GEF International Waters guidance. These indicators will be used to measure the
impact of SAP interventions within and across jurisdictions, for the life of the project, and in some
cases (such as with Environmental Status Indicators) beyond end-of-project.

Process Indicators: Programme outputs or milestones including institutional or legal reforms

needed to activate collaborative action required to successfully reduce environmental stresses

Threat Reduction Indicators: Indicators that relate to the specific on-ground measures are being
carried out to reduce environmental stressors.

Environmental Status Indicators: these identify changes that have occurred within the natural
system or ecosystem as a result of the intervention. Such indicators may require a long time before
change is realised.

Socio-economic Indicators: indicators that capture changes occurring within communities (at
various levels, including individual, household, association or government area) as a result of the
intervention

The complete list of SAP targets is included as Annex 6.

4.7. Adaptive Management

Adaptive management is a systematic approach to deliberately incorporate learning within
programme design and management to improve the effectiveness of interventions over time.
Informed by the M&E system, adaptive management in the SAP context includes constantly

53 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
analysing and responding to ‘feedback’ from the system generated by data, reports, stakeholder
consultation and other mechanisms – this feedback is analysed to learn how interventions are
performing against set targets, what might be influencing this performance, and how
expectations may be met or adjusted given changing conditions.

Adaptive management of the SAP will incorporate the following elements:

• SAP M&E System

• Risk assessment (Annex 7)
• Periodic performance evaluations by the RCC
• Annual implementation plans
• Stakeholder input through the RSWG

Key to adaptive management is the ability to alter the plan depending on this feedback – in some
instances, priorities, objectives and targets may need to be re-evaluated or revised (either up or
down), methodologies adapted to suit changing conditions, and timeframes adjusted to allow for
unexpected delays, or assumptions reviewed. This is particularly important for a programme
with a long-time horizon, such as this SAP.

In addition to annual reporting on implementation, programme evaluations are to be conducted

every 2.5 years to assess programme impact, review assumptions, and refine programme priority
activities and targets as necessary. Strategic reviews of the SAP will also be undertaken at 5
(mid-term) and 10 (terminal) intervals and may be requested at any time by the RCC. These
reviews will focus on the strategic priorities of the SAP, assumptions, enabling conditions and
corresponding priority actions to enable the SAP top respond to changing conditions.

Lastly, contained within the SAP plan are a number of technical assessments that will precipitate
further decisions, particularly those regarding selection of priority sites or demonstration area,
and further selection of future ecological targets (including selection of priority ETP groups, and
area-based management targets). Based on these assessments, any subsequent decisions on the
selection of further actions, sites and investments will be led by the RCC with technical inputs
provided by the RSWGs as requested.

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 54
CHAPTER 5. ANNEXES

55 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
1. References and resources
2. SAP updating process
3. SAP contributors
4. SAP shared principles and approaches
5. SAP climate change impacts and responses
6. Summary of SAP targets
7. Risk assessment
8. Theory of Change

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 56
Annex 1 – References and resources
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and Strategic Action Programme (TDA-SAP)
ATSEA-2 (2023) Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis
Theory of Change for the Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase 2 (ATSEA-2) Project
(2021)
Strategic Action Programme for the Arafura and Timor Seas, ATSEA Program (2012)

ATS Atlas
Arafura and Timor Seas Atlas 2023 (ATSEA-2, 2023)

Climate change
Assessing the Vulnerability of the Arafura and Timor Seas Region to Climate Change (Johnson
et al., 2021)
Guide for Facilitators and Decision-Makers: Incorporating Regional Climate Change Results
into local action planning (Johnson et al., 2023)

Regional assessments generated by ATSEA-2:

The Atlas of Arafura and Timor Seas (ATSEA-2, 2021)
Analysis of Threatened, Charismatic, and Migratory Species Distribution Around the Arafura
and Timor Seas (Fajariyanto et al., 2020)
Regional Profile of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems in the ATS (Hakim et al., 2020)
Valuation of Ecosystem Services in the Arafura and Timor Seas Region (Choesin et al., 2021)
An Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management for Red Snapper in the Arafura and Timor
Seas – Fishery Baselines (Knuckey et al., 2021)
Resilient Marine Protected Area Network Design for the Arafura and Timor Seas (Fajariyanto et
al., 2022)
Marine and Land-Based Pollution Assessment in the Arafura and Timor Seas region (Shin, 2021)

Country-specific baselines generated by ATSEA-2:

ATSEA-2 Country Synthesis Report, Timor-Leste (Fonseca et al., 2022)
ATSEA-2 Country Synthesis Report, Indonesia (Yonvitner et al., 2022)
ATSEA-2 Country Synthesis Report, Papua New Guinea (Mana and Mungkaje, 2022)

Component 1
IMO 2017 Guidelines on the Implementation of MARPOL Annex 5
Global Partnership for Marine Litter (GPML/UNEP)
IMO 2017 Guidelines on the Implementation of MARPOL Annex 5
IMO Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships (Outcome 1)
FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (1995)
FAO Voluntary Guidelines on the Marking of Fishing Gear
Global Partnership for Marine Litter (GPML/UNEP)
Global Ghost Gear Initiative
Relevant Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs)

Component 2
International Convention on Civil Liability (CLC) for Oil Pollution Damage (IMO)
IOPC Funds Convention

57 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
Component 3
FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries
Regional Plan of Action-Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

Component 4
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP):
Australia NBSAP
Indonesia NBSAP
Papua New Guinea NBSAP
Timor-Leste NBSAP

Other references
Managing Risks Across UNDP Programming and Operations Guidance Note September
2019

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 58
Annex 2 – SAP updating process
Table 3 – Key steps and timeline of SAP creation, 2021-2023

Date Key steps taken

2021 Dec – Jun Data gathering and preparation of Country Synthesis Reports
2022 (CSRs)
2022 Apr-May National Working Groups (NWGs) established to support
preparation of CSRs and TDA and SAP revision
Aug Regional Working Group (RWG) and National Working Groups
(NWGs) created to provide regional perspective in the TDA and SAP
revision

Sep-Oct Issue identification and Causal Chain Analysis

Nov Endorsement of Priority Issues by RSC

Dec Completion of TDA draft

2023 Feb Regional TDA-SAP Updating Workshop (Bali, Indonesia) held to
validate draft TDA and initiate SAP revision process

Mar National SAP Strategic Thinking Workshops

Apr Online Regional Workshop (Consolidation of Strategic Thinking,
initiation of Strategic Planning)

May National Strategic Planning Workshops

Regional Strategic Planning Workshop
Jun Drafting of updated SAP
Jul RSC review and revision of draft
Aug Regional and national consultations on SAP draft
Sep-Oct Revision and preparation of final draft
Nov Final endorsement by RSC
Dec SAP Publication and dissemination

Data gathering and preparation of draft CSRs (Dec. 2021-July 2022) included the preparation of
Country Synthesis Reports consolidating data and information on ecological, socio-economic and
governance status, trends, issues and opportunities in the ATS region. CSRs were prepared with
the support of national consultants, to serve as key references in identifying priority
transboundary issues and updating the TDA.

National working groups (NWGs) and a regional working group (RWG) were established, with
representation of various sectors and disciplines to determine priority transboundary issues, and
to provide and facilitate regional and national inputs and perspectives to TDA/SAP updating.

59 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
Causal Chain Analyses (CCA) were conducted for identified issues, to establish causality for key
issues and to inform the identification of leverage points.

Regional thematic assessments conducted by ATSEA-2 were also considered, including fisheries
assessments, mapping of critical habitats and ecosystems, pollution assessments and a regional
climate vulnerability assessment.

Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (2023 revision) were developed with the Regional Working
Group during 2022-2023. and endorsed by the RSC in July 2023. The revised TDA identifies the key
transboundary issues affecting the ATS, informing the core components of the updated ATS-SAP
2024-2033.

SAP Strategic Thinking around SAP priorities was facilitated through a series of national and
regional workshops held between February and May of 2023 to identify key issues, align with
national priorities and to begin to develop the framework for the updated SAP.

SAP Strategic Planning to develop the SAP targets and priority actions followed via a series of
planning workshops held at national and regional levels

SAP endorsement resulted from a final round of consultations with ATSEA countries in August
and September 2023, after which a final draft of the updated ATS-SAP (2024-2033) was presented
to the RSC.

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 60
Annex 3 – SAP contributors

TDA-SAP REGIONAL WORKING GROUP (RWG) MEMBERS (*), NATIONAL WORKING

GROUP (NWG) MEMBERS, AND CONTRIBUTORS
AUSTRALIA Dr. Andrew Assistant Director, Department of Climate
Chek* Pacific and Regional Change, Energy, the
Section, Environment and Water
International (DCCEEW)
Environment, Reef,
and Oceans Division
Ms. Nicole Director, Pacific and Department of Climate
Coombe Regional Section, Change, Energy, the
International Environment and Water
Environment, Reef (DCCEEW)
and Oceans Division
Ms. Grace Advisor, Australian Maritime Safety
Boglev International Authority (AMSA)
Engagement
Mr. Duane Director, Fisheries Department of Agriculture,
Bridger Governance and Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)
Trade
Mr. Adam Director, Sustainable Department of Climate
Clark Ocean Plan Change, Energy, the
Taskforce Environment and Water
(DCCEEW)
Mr. Cameron Director, Department of Climate
Colebatch International Plastics Change, Energy, the
Policy Environment and Water
(DCCEEW)
Ms. Lesley Director, Marine Department of Climate
Gidding- Species Conservation Change, Energy, the
Reeve Section Environment and Water
(DCCEEW)
Ms. Kate Director, Policy and Parks Australia
Mooney Planning
Dr. Chris Director, Sustainable Minderoo Foundation
Wilcox Fisheries Program
INDONESIA Mrs. Yayan Director Center for Fisheries Research
Hikmayani Ministry of Marine Affairs and
Fisheries (MMAF)
Ms. Niken Sub-coordinator for Center for Fisheries Research
Winarsih MFR/National Ministry of Marine Affairs and
Development Fisheries (MMAF)
Planner
Mr. Fisheries Center for Fisheries Research,
Kamaluddin Management and Ministry of Marine Affairs and
Kasim* Policy Fisheries (MMAF)
Ms. Ariani Policy Analyst Center for Fisheries Research,
Andayani, Ministry of Marine Affairs and
Fisheries (MMAF)

61 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
Dr. Novi Senior Geospatial Directorate of Coastal Area
Susetyo Adi Analyst and Small Islands Utilization,
Ministry of Marine Affairs and
Fisheries (MMAF)
Mr. Eko Susilo Fisheries Institute for Marine Research
Oceanography and Observation, Ministry of
Marine Affairs and Fisheries
(MMAF)
Ms. Sitti Coordinator for Bureau of Public Relations
Hamdiyah Regional and and Foreign Cooperation,
Multilateral Ministry of Marine Affairs and
Cooperation Fisheries (MMAF)
Mr. Marcus Policy Analyst, Bureau of Public Relations
Daniel Regional and and Foreign Cooperation,
Wicaksono Multilateral Ministry of Marine Affairs and
Cooperation Bureau Fisheries (MMAF)
Dr. Ir. Zainal Senior Researcher National Research and
Arifin, M.Sc* Innovation Agency (BRIN)
Dr. Dedi Senior Researcher Research Center for Society
Supriadi and Culture, National
Adhuri* Research and Innovation
Agency (BRIN)
Dr. Fery Coordinator for Directorate for Fish Resource
Sutyawan* Management Group Management, MMAF
for Inland Marine,
Territorial and
Archipelagic Waters
Mr. Aris Fisheries Directorate for Fish Resource
Budiarto Management Management, Ministry of
Marine Affairs and Fisheries
(MMAF)
Mr. Aris Fisheries Directorate for Fish Resource
Budiarto Management Management, Ministry of
Marine Affairs and Fisheries
(MMAF)
Mr. Rizal Rifai Fisheries Analyst Directorate for Fish Resource
Management, Ministry of
Marine Affairs and Fisheries
(MMAF)
Mr. Eko Sub-coordinator of Directorate of fishing vessel
Prasetyo Budi Fisheries Production and fishing gear, Ministry of
Management Marine Affairs and Fisheries
(MMAF)
Mr. Jotham Lecturer Nusa Cendana University,
Ninef Kupang
Ms. Norce Lecturer Musamus University, Merauke
Mote
Dr. James Lecturer Pattimura University, Maluku
Abrahamsz

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 62
 Dr. Lecturer Diponegoro University,
Muhammad Semarang
Helmi
Ir. Iman Head of Marine and Provincial Maritime Affairs
Djuniawal Fisheries Provincial and Fisheries Agency, Papua
Agency Province
Mr. Absalom Local government Regional Maritime Affairs and
Solossa Fisheries Office, Papua
Province
Ms. Sherley S. Local government Provincial Research and
Wila Huky Development Agency.
NTT Province
Dr. Erawan Head of Marine and Provincial Marine Affairs and
Asikin Fisheries Provincial Fisheries Agency, Maluku
Agency Province
Dr. Yonvitner National Consultant Center for Coastal and Marine
– Indonesia / Director Resources Studies, IPB
University
Papua New Mr. Leban Deputy Managing National Fisheries Authority
Guinea Gisawa Director (NFA)
Mr. Noan Former Deputy National Fisheries Authority
Pakop Managing (NFA)
Director/Special
Advisor to the
Managing Director
Mr. Terence Manager – Coastal National Fisheries Authority
Kedamwana Fisheries (NFA)
Mr. Rickson Coastal fisheries National Fisheries Authority
Lis* expert (NFA)
Mr. Jeff Kinch Fisheries National Fisheries College
management and (NFC)
training
Ms. Nancy Legal Counsel National Fisheries Authority
Taka (NFA)
Mr. Vagi Rei* Manager – Marine Conservation and Environnent
Ecosystems Protection Authority (CEPA)
Ms. Officer – Marine Conservation and Environnent
Phelameya Ecosystems Protection Authority (CEPA)
Haiveta
Dr. Augustine Professor – Marine University of PNG (UPNG)
Mungkaje Science
Dr. Ralph Professor – Marine University of PNG (UPNG)
Mana* Science

Ms. Dainah District Fisheries South Fly District Fisheries

Gigiba Officer

Mr. Odori Provincial Fisheries Western Province Fisheries

Koloni Manager
Mr. Havini Chief Executive OK Tedi Development
Vira Officer Foundation

63 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
 Ms. Selma Aquaculture – South PNG Sustainable
Pamolak Fly Agribusiness Development Program
Mr. Jonathon Marine and fisheries Wildlife Conservation Society
Booth research and
conservation
Mr. Gabriel Senior Compliance National Maritime and Safety
Poiya and Monitoring Authority
Officer
Ms. Grace Acting Director – Department of Justice and
Kaue Office of Ocean Attorney General
Affairs
Timor-Leste Mr. Acacio Former Director Director General for Fisheries,
Guterres General, Senior Aquaculture and Marine
Officer Resources, Ministry of
Agriculture, Livestock,
Fisheries and Forestry
(MALFF)
Mr. Celestino Director General for Ministry of Agriculture,
da Cunha Fisheries, Livestock, Fisheries and
Barreto* Aquaculture and Forestry (MALFF)
Marine Resources
Mr. Horacio National Director for Ministry of Agriculture,
Guterres Technical Research Livestock, Fisheries and
and Aquaculture Forestry (MALFF)
Mr. Pedro Senior Officer Ministry of Agriculture,
Rodrigues Livestock, Fisheries and
Forestry (MALFF)
Dr. Mario Lecturer National University of Timor-
Cabral* Leste (UNTL)
Prof. Dean, Agriculture Universidade Oriental de
Roumaldo Faculty Timor Lorosa’e (UNITAL)
Ximenes
Mr. Marito Senior Technical, Director General for Fisheries,
Filipe Fisheries and Marine Aquaculture and Marine
Science Resources, MALFF
Mr. Chief of Department Director General for Fisheries,
Constancio for Marine Spatial Aquaculture and Marine
dos Santos Planning and Aquatic Resources, MALFF
Resource
Management
Mr. Nelson National Director for Directorate General for
Madeira Pollution Control Environment, Ministry of
Economic Affairs, Tourism and
the Environment
Mr. Antonio Technical Staff Forum ONG Timor-Leste
De Limas (FONGTIL)
Ms. Alda Gender Focal Point Director General for Fisheries,
Sousa Lemos Aquaculture and Marine
da Rosa* Resources, MALFF

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 64
 Ms. Climate Change, Consultant
Bernadete da Fisheries and Gender
Fonseca* Specialist

Dr. Abilio Da National Consultant National University of Timor-

Fonseca – Timor-Leste Leste (UNTL)

Mr. Doroteio Second Lieutenant National Maritime Authority,

Noronha Ministry of Defence
Mr. Lucas Chief of Department Ministry of Agriculture,
Fernandes for Biodiversity Livestock, Fisheries and
Conservation Forestry (MALFF)
Mr. Julio da Senior Officer Ministry of Agriculture,
Cruz Livestock, Fisheries and
Forestry (MALFF)
Mr. Rui dos National Director for Directorate General for
Reis Pires Biodiversity Environment, Ministry of
Economic Affairs, Tourism and
the Environment
Mr. Ruben Manager for Health National Authority of
Gusmão Safety and Petroleum
Environment
Mr. Former Director Ministry of State
Belarmino F. General for Administration
Neves Decentralization
Mr. Aleixo Accessor for Ministry of Agriculture,
Leonito Secretary State of Livestock, Fisheries and
Amaral Fisheries Forestry (MALFF)
Mr. Aquelino Former Director for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Amaral Regional Affairs Cooperation
CONSULTANTS AND TECHNICAL ADVISORS
SAP Mr. Matthew Regional Consultant
Consultant Fox
RGM & SAP Ms. Maria Regional Consultant Resources, Environment and
Financing Corazon Economics Center for Studies
Consultant Ebarvia (REECS)
UNDP
Mr. Sofiane Regional Technical UNDP-Bangkok Regional Hub
Mahjoub Advisor (BRH)
Ms. Pinyavi Programme UNDP-BRH
Chaiwongsris Associate
uk
Mr. Iwan Programme Manager UNDP Indonesia
Kurniawan for Natural Resource
Management,
Environmental Unit
Mr. Programme Analyst UNDP Timor-Leste
Domingos and Head of Climate
Lequi Siga Change and
Maria Environment Unit

65 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
 Ms. Aimee Executive Director PEMSEA Resource Facility
Gonzales
ATSEA-2 PROJECT TEAMS
NCU Mr. Dwi National Project UNDP Indonesia
INDONESIA Ariyoga Coordinator
Gautama
Mr. David M&E Specialist UNDP Indonesia
Kuntel
Ms. Laeli GESI Specialist UNDP Indonesia
Sukmahayani
NCU PAPUA Mr. Kenneth National Project ATSEA-2 NCU – PNG
NEW GUINEA Yhuanje Coordinator
Mr. Joseph Admin and Finance ATSEA-2 NCU – PNG
Kiningi Officer
NCU TIMOR Mr. Expedito National Project UNDP Timor Leste
LESTE Roberto Belo Coordinator
Ms. Dominica Monitoring and UNDP Timor Leste
Guterres Evaluation Assistant
Ms. Ines Da Admin and Finance UNDP Timor Leste
Costa Pereira Officer
RPMU
ATSEA-2 Dr. Handoko Regional ATSEA-2 RPMU
RPMU Adi Susanto Project Manager
Ms. Cristine Policy and Results- ATSEA-2 RPMU
Ingrid S. based Management
Narcise Specialist
Ms. Kathrine Project M & E ATSEA-2 RPMU
Rose G. Specialist
Aguiling
Ms. Casandra Regional Biodiversity ATSEA-2 RPMU
Tania Specialist
Ms. Deti Marine Technical ATSEA-2 RPMU
Triani Assistant

Ms. Stella Communications and ATSEA-2 RPMU

Puteri Knowledge
Management
Specialist
Ms. Yulia Communications ATSEA-2 RPMU
Dewi Assistant
Mr. Nur Project Associate on ATSEA-2 RPMU
Junaidi Finance and Admin
Mr. Dicky Project Assistant ATSEA-2 RPMU
Zulkarnain
Ms. Chyntia Project Assistant ATSEA-2 RPMU
Rachmadanti

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 66
Annex 4 – SAP shared principles and approaches
In implementing the SAP (and related initiatives including NAPs), ATSEA adopts the following
principles and approaches:

Principle of Sovereignty

ATSEA recognises that under international law, all states may govern and control all activities and
exert their sovereign rights within territories within their sovereignty, including territorial waters.

Precautionary Approach

ATSEA adopts the Precautionary Approach as espoused in the 1992 Rio Declaration, which states
that “where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty
shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental
degradation” and the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) which stipulates that “where
there is a threat of significant reduction or loss of biological diversity, lack of full scientific
certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to avoid or minimize such a
threat.”

Principles of Fair and Equitable Benefit-sharing

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides for the equitable sharing of
financial benefits derived from activities in a defined area. And the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) provides for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits” arising from the utilization
of genetic resources.

Principle of Equality and non-discrimination

ATSEA recognises international legal standards with relation to equality that aim to ensure that:

- women and girls are able to access and enjoy, equally with men and boys, their civil,
political, economic, social, and cultural rights;
- recognise that factors such as age, language, ethnicity, race, caste, culture, religion,
disability, family and socio-economic status, and rural or urban background can create
additional barriers to equality (including gender equality)

Principle of Participation and Inclusivity

ATSEA recognises that all people have the right to participate in and access information relating
to the decision-making processes that affect their lives and well-being.

67 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)

Consistent with international human rights standards, ATSEA recognises the principle of FPIC
that states that all peoples have the right to self-determination and have the right to freely
pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

Notification, consultation and negotiation

Consistent with international law, ATSEA recognises the rights of ATS member countries to prior
notice, consultation and negotiation in cases where a proposed use of the shared water body
(ATS) may cause harm to their rights and interests

Also embodied in the SAP design are integrated resource management approaches including;

- The ecosystem approach

- Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM)
- Integrated Coastal Management (ICM)

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 68
Annex 5 – Climate change impacts and SAP responses (by SAP
component)
The following table outlines the various measures by which climate change impacts may be
addressed by the SAP; specific priority actions from the SAP are listed in the ‘specific responses
columns.

Climate Change Impacts Specific Responses in SAP

Component 1 – Marine Plastic Pollution

Greenhouse gases (GHG) are emitted throughout Actions to reduce production and use of plastics
the plastic life cycle. Estimates indicate that GHG will reduce carbon footprint/GHG emissions
emissions from plastics could reach about 13% of (Priority Action 1.1.4)
the entire remaining carbon budget by 2050
Actions to prevent plastics from reaching the
Plastic in the oceans may interfere with the oceans marine environment will improve or maintain the
capacity to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide ocean’s ability to sequester CO2 and potentially
slow down climate change and impacts on
Plastic pollution can alter habitats and natural biodiversity (Priority Actions 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.4, 1.2.1)
processes, reducing ecosystems' adaptive capacity
(with livelihood implications for those dependent
on marine ecosystems) Integrate climate change measures into policies
and planning (Priority Action 1.1.1)
Rising water temperatures and acidification may
contribute to the rate of degradation of marine
plastics (resulting in ‘microplastics’ that can be Development and implementation of source to
ingested by marine organisms) sea/integrated /circular economy approaches,
plans, programs (with CC consideration) - (Priority
Extreme events caused by climate change may Action 1.1.2, 1.2.1)
contribute to higher frequency of lost or damaged
fishing gears (ALDFG)
Data/monitoring systems (with CC-related info)
(Priority Action 1.1.5)

Component 2 – Oil Spills

Increasing severity of storms and extreme Assess preparedness of oil facilities and
weather events may increase the likelihood of infrastructure, and oil spill preparedness and
accidents or technical failures, such as oil spills response systems, to extreme weather events and
from refineries, extraction/drilling rigs, or oil in other climate change impacts (Priority Action 2.1.1,
transport. Responding to spills resulting from 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.1.4)
extreme weather/climate change events may also
be complicated by these factors Develop comprehensive risk assessments that
consider climate change risks and identify
infrastructure vulnerabilities in coastal and
offshore regions (Priority Action 2.1.1, 2.1.2,)

Integrate risks and vulnerabilities in oil spill

contingency plans and operations (Priority Action
2.1.2, 2.1.3)

69 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
 Decision support tools to integrate the oil
transport and weathering model within response
planning (Priority Action 2.1.3, 2.1.4)

Upgrading design thresholds of facilities to

protect and relocate crucial infrastructure
(Priority Action 2.1.3, 2.1.4)

Component 3 – Small-Scale IUU Fishing

CCVA indicates that nearshore fisheries habitats Transboundary SSF-IUUF hotspot assessment
including coral reefs and mangroves are most at considering impacts of climate change to SS
risk from thermal stress. There is a high fishers/fisheries (Priority Action 3.1.1)
correlation between the spatial distribution of
these most vulnerable fisheries habitats and the Development and implementation of CB-POAs
fisheries activities’ of coastal small-scale fishers. incorporating actions to strengthen resilience and
adaptive capacity of SSF to impacts of CC (Priority
More frequent extreme weather events and Action 3.1.2)
rougher sea conditions will increase likelihood of
damage to fishing boats and gear, port facilities Ongoing use of climate change vulnerability
and infrastructure, and may exacerbate safety-at- assessments (CCVA) at priority assessments to
sea issues for fishers using small vessels obtain high resolution information on
vulnerability at species and ecosystem levels
Algal blooms and ciguatera fish poisoning are (Priority Action 3.1.1)
projected to increase with rising water
temperatures, potentially creating issues for
public health and marketability of product

Component 4 – ETP Species & Critical Habitats

Climate change may affect some ETP species ETP species action plans shall be developed by
populations negatively in one or more of several considering climate change impacts (Priority
ways; altered or degraded habitats or Action 4.1.1, 4,1,3)
environmental conditions, reduced reproduction
success, number of offspring, altered migration
routes, altered foraging habitats and prey-predator New MPAs establishment (including MPA
relationships, management plans) shall consider the impacts of
climate change (Priority Action 4.2.1, 4.2.3)
Reduced ecosystem function and health at critical
habitats (i.e. coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass)
due to environmental factors including (but not Other effective (area-based) conservation
limited to): altered oceanographic cycles, sea level measures (OECMs) may be designated to protect
rise, altered coastal/shoreline processes, altered environmental values such as critical habitats
ocean chemistry (including acidification), thermal (Priority Action 4.2.1, 4.2.2)
stress, altered rainfall patterns

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 70
Annex 6 – SAP targets

Component Objective Process Threat Socio- Environmental

Target Reduction economic status target
Target target
Component 1: Operational At least 1 x 1,000-5,000 At least 3 x
Reducing objective 1.1: regional and 4 tonnes of new circular
marine and Prevent and x national/sub- plastic economy
coastal plastic reduce inputs national new pollution in pilot
pollution of plastic policies, laws, the marine programs
including pollutants from agreements environment created with
ALDFG land-based related to is prevented local
sources marine plastic through new communities
pollution (may on-ground
include national or pilot
sub-national
measures
government laws,
policies,
commitments,
partnerships or
other agreements
including with
private sector, civil
society and/or
communities)
At least 9
coastal
communities
engaged in
reduction of
plastic waste
Operational At least 1 x At least At least 9 >10% reduction in
objective 1.2: regional and 1,000 metric coastal fisheries (ALDFG)
Reduce inputs 4x tons of communities waste observed in
of national/sub- ALDFG is / fishing the marine
Abandoned, national new prevented associations environment
Lost and policies, laws, through engaged in during routine
Discarded regulations, recovery and reduction of monitoring
Fishing Gear agreement, recycling by ALDFG waste
(ALDFG) commitments local
related to communities At least 3
ALDFG (may (subject to new pilot
include national findings of the programs
or sub-national proposed ALDFG-
government laws, RAP)
created with
policies, local
commitments, communities
partnerships or to recover
other agreements
including with
and recycle
private sector, ALDFG waste
civil society
and/or
communities)

Adoption of 1x
Regional
Action Plan

71 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
 (RAP) to
combat ALDFG
Component 2: Operational Adoption of 1 x
Preventing and objective 2.1: regional
responding to Strengthen coordination
oil spills regional mechanism
coordination and
and capacities Framework
on oil spill Agreement for
preparedness oil spill
and response preparedness
and response
in the ATS
Component 3: Operational A new regional 25-50% At least 3*
Reducing the objective 3.1: assessment of reductions in small-scale
incidence of Create small-scale illegal fishing fisheries
small-scale IUU effective transboundary at three secured
fishing in agreements IUU fishing is identified through
transboundary and incentives completed for IUU fishing improved
areas to improve the ATS hotspot sites management
management (subject to and
of small-scale findings of the reduction of
regional
fisheries IUU fishing
assessment of
operating small-scale IUU) (subject to
illegally in findings of the
regional
transboundary
assessment of
areas small-scale IUU
fishing)
At least 3 new At least 5,000
transboundary fisheries
agreements livelihood
(e.g., FIP, beneficiaries
management benefit from
plans or improved
community- management,
based IUU fishing
programs) reduction
created at and
identified alternative
hotspot sites livelihoods
(subject to
findings of the
regional
assessment of
small-scale IUU)
Component 4: Operational Delivery of At least 25% Traditional Stable long-term
Increase objective 4.1: regional reduction in Ecological trend in sea turtle
resilience of Enhance priority actions identified Knowledge nest counts /
regional collaborative in Sea Turtle threats for (TEK) population census
populations of management of RAP prioritised incorporated at selected ATS
endangered, priority ETP species in priority sites
threatened and transboundary (dependent on management
protected (ETP) or migratory species systems for
prioritisation,
species and populations of at least one
and subject to
critical habitats ETP species RAPs) ETP species /
species
groups

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 72
 At least one [mid-term: additional targets related to ETP species
new RAP may be developed for new priority groups]
developed for
priority
transboundary
ETP species or
species groups
(other than sea
turtles – already
covered by ATS sea
turtle RAP)
Operational 70,000km2 of Management Traditional 25-30% of ATS
objective new MPAs effectiveness Ecological critical habitats
4.2: Build gazetted (20% increases of Knowledge and ecosystems
resilience of MPA coverage at least 25% (TEK) under effective
ATS critical for ATS, up are observed incorporated area-based
habitats and from 2023 in at least in protection
ecosystems baseline of 25% of MPAs management
against climate 263,000km2, or in the ATS systems for
change through 16% coverage) MPA at least 3x
effective area- network sites
based 10,000 km2 of
management new Other
Effective (area-
based)
Conservation
Measures
(OECM)
created
A new regional
commitment
to achieve 20-
30% of ATS
under effective
area-based
protection to
contribute to
30x30
ambition,
incorporating
both MPAs +
OECMs

73 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
Annex 7 – SAP Risk Assessment: identification and possible mitigation
measures

The following risk assessment has been conducted for the ATS region for the corresponding SAP
implementation period 2024-2033. It identifies and assesses risks associated with the core SAP
components, and with implementation of the SAP. The risk assessment may be reviewed at any
time during implementation.

LEGEND:
Severity of Impact: 1 - limited, 2 - low, 3 - moderate, 4 – high, 5 – extreme
Likelihood: 1 – not likely 2 – low likelihood, 3 -moderately likely, 4 – highly likely, 5 - expected
Risk rating: Green: Very low to low risk
Yellow: Medium risk
Orange: High risk
Red: Very high to Extreme risk

Severity
Risk
Project risk Likelihood of Mitigation
Rating
Impact
Social and Environmental
Impacts of climate change in the ATS could 2 4 Medium Conduct climate
undermine the sustainability of marine and change vulnerability
coastal resource utilisation by adversely assessments and
impacting biological processes underpinning disseminate learnings
provisioning, regulating and supporting to regional partners
ecosystem services
There is a potential that gender-based and 3 3 Medium Update GESI Action
marginalised group discrimination may be Plan for the updated
replicated, especially regarding women’s and SAP
marginalized group’s participation in project
design and implementation, as well as access to Ensure equal
representation in ATS

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 74
opportunities and benefits; and also, in decision and SAP governance
making. mechanism and
structures

Ensure GESI is
adequately
considered in
Monitoring and
Reporting framework
Some program activities have the capacity to 3 3 Medium Apply the EAFM
impact on marine and coastal ecosystems and approach to fisheries
resources particularly in areas that include management,
community-managed areas. This means that promote rights-based
fishing/ fish/coastal resources harvesting is fisheries management
currently taking place and may be affected as a approaches, promote
result of SAP interventions that promote ongoing compliance
sustainable resource management and with fisheries law,
practices. supported by
effective and
appropriate outreach
and communication
and livelihood
programs
SAP activities involving fisheries, introducing 3 3 Medium Conduct participatory
alternative livelihoods and nutrition have the surveys to understand
potential to impact on the rights, lands, local communities’
livelihoods and traditional knowledge of needs and rights and
Indigenous Peoples and Ethnic Minorities (e.g. potential impacts of
loss of assets or access to resources; access program activities
restriction)
Continue to promote
rights-based
management and
EAFM and employ
GESI processes
Financial
Financial sustainability of program activities 4 3 High Continue to
might be threatened by inadequate allocation coordinate with
of funding countries and
partners to deliver co-
financing
commitments

Develop a financial
plan to accompany
SAP and identify
funding needs,
sources and
mechanisms required
for successful SAP
implementation
Operational
If coordination by national and site mobilisers is 2 2 Low Post site mobilisers at
inadequate, performance of project activities site, hire government
will be low liaison consultants to
facilitate regular
communication with
local government
Potential occupational health and safety (OHS) 2 2 Low Develop and employ
risks due to physical hazards related to field appropriate safety
data collection & monitoring not only to the protocols and

75 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
potential risk faced by SAP implementers team Standard Operating
in visiting remote villages with limited Procedures (SOPs) to
healthcare facilities (i.e., underwater manage risks
monitoring, Covid related risks). associated with
fieldwork
Minimise risk by
coordinating closely
with local authorities
in SAP
implementation
Resource users including communities and 3 2 Medium Conduct participatory
private sector enterprises might be reluctant to surveys to understand
collaborate with the project. local communities’
needs and rights and
potential impacts of
program activities

Continue to promote
rights-based
management and
EAFM and employ
GESI processes to
ensure equitable
distribution of
benefits
Organisational
Capacity to support management changes 3 2 Medium Conduct capacity
proposed by the SAP might be insufficient, e.g. needs assessments
with regard to institutional and administrative and design/deliver
support, and monitoring, control and appropriate capacity
surveillance (MCS) and enforcement. building programs to
support SAP
implementation
Political
Unclear mandates or conflicts among resource 4 2 Medium Establish the Regional
users, different sectors of governmental units, Governance
national and subnational stakeholders lead to Mechanism (RGM)
delays in SAP implementation. with appropriate
coordination
structures to clarify
mandate, manage
coordination tasks
and manage potential
sectoral conflict
Change in key policy and/or decision makers or 4 2 Medium Facilitate periodic
other events beyond the control of the project discussion with
might lead to changes in policies and/or support National Coordinating
for the project. Committees (NCCs) to
maintain national
engagement and keep
abreast of electoral
processes, and
changes in
government or policy.
Enabling decisions required for implementation 4 2 Medium Facilitate periodic
of some of the key project activities might be discussion with
delayed due to inefficiencies, capacity National Coordinating
challenges and changing levels of interest or Committees (NCCs) to
ownership by national and/or local government maintain national
units. engagement and
strong sense of

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 76
 ownership for SAP
duration

Release regular
updates and
communications to
engage national
stakeholders regularly
Littoral countries might not reach agreement 4 2 Medium Continue to espouse
on financing strategy. the value proposition
and benefits of ATS
coordinated regional
action, and associated
co-benefits
Regulatory
Amendments or changes in government 3 4 High Facilitate periodic
policies may affect or hamper delivery of discussion with
commitments to the program National Coordinating
Committees (NCCs) to
maintain national
engagement and keep
abreast of changes in
government policy
and agree on adaptive
measures.

77 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033
Annex 8 – SAP Theory of Change (ToC)
The following is a high-level summary of SAP Theory of Change. The SAP ToC and its underlying assumptions will be subject to review following
endorsement, and will include development of detailed results chains, which can in turn inform implementation planning.

STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033 | 78
79 | STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (SAP) FOR THE ARAFURA AND TIMOR SEAS REGION 2024-2033