Ambon, Indonesia, 16 November 2024 – The Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase II (ATSEA-2) Project implemented by UNDP Indonesia in collaboration with the Government of Indonesia through the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), hosted the soft launch of the Arafura Sea Learning and Information Center at the Fisheries Training and Extension Center (BPPP) in Ambon, Maluku. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), ATSEA-2 represents a multi-stakeholder effort to conserve the ecosystems of the Arafura and Timor Seas, which are shared by Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste.

The event, taking place on 16 November 2024, was officiated by Dr. Lilly Aprilya Pregiwati, Head of the Training Center at the Agency for Marine and Fisheries Extension and Human Resource Development (BPPSDM KP), and Yayan Hikmayani, Head of the Fisheries Extension Centre at the BPPSDM KP as well as National Project Director for ATSEA-2 in Indonesia. The launch was also attended by members of the ATSEA-2 Indonesia National Board, including representatives from MMAF, the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), and the Ministry of Finance.

The soft launch marked a significant milestone in enhancing education and skill development in Ambon, Maluku. Designed as a knowledge hub for the Arafura Sea, the center aims to support sustainable marine resource management and conservation efforts. Activities during the event included facility tours, interactive talk shows, information booths, and competitions, engaging local communities and stakeholders.

“This center was established with three key objectives: enhancing the capacity of stakeholders, including fishers, extension officers, and policymakers, through the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM); strengthening Marine Protected Area (MPA) management in the ATS region with a focus on conservation and biodiversity; and fostering knowledge sharing through cross-sectoral collaboration at local, national, and regional levels,” explained Yayan Hikmayani.

Aligned with these objectives, the ATSEA-2 Project has significantly contributed to advancing Indonesia's Blue Economy Policy. Among its notable achievements is the establishment of the Kolepom Island Marine Protected Area, the first in South Papua Province, highlighting efforts to expand MPAs in the region. The project has also implemented EAFM to ensure sustainable management of vital fisheries, including red snapper, shrimp, and barramundi, in the Arafura Sea. Additionally, ATSEA-2 has bolstered coastal and small island management by training fisheries supervisors, developing handbooks for community monitoring groups (Pokmaswas), and enhancing regional fisheries intelligence capacities. These initiatives collectively promote sustainable marine resource management and conservation in Indonesia.

“The establishment of this learning center demonstrates ATSEA-2’s commitment to helping Indonesia transition from traditional resource exploitation to integrated, ecosystem-based management,” added Iwan Kurniawan, Programme Manager for Natural Resources Management, Environment Unit, UNDP Indonesia.

Abubakar, Head of BPPP Ambon, highlighted that the center serves as a hub for information on sustainable marine and fisheries management, particularly in eastern Indonesia and the Arafura Sea. “The center includes discussion spaces, a reading corner, and facilities for producing educational materials, such as training modules and outreach videos,” he explained.

Looking ahead, Dr. Lilly Aprilya Pregiwati, Head of the Training Center at BPPSDM KP, emphasized the need to optimize the center’s potential. “The next step is to ensure that this learning center becomes a key destination for accessing essential marine information, encouraging knowledge-seeking and collaboration,” she noted.

The Arafura Sea Learning and Information Center is envisioned as a collaborative platform that connects local governments, extension officers, and environmental organizations. By fostering synergy, it aims to strengthen sustainable marine and fisheries management. The event successfully attracted attention from various sectors, including government, academia, and the public, encouraging active participation in marine conservation efforts.

About the ATSEA-2 Project

ATSEA-2 is the second phase of the Arafura & Timor Seas Ecosystem Action (ATSEA) program; a regional partnership involving the governments of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Timor-Leste, with the support of the Australian Government. Its objective is to collectively manage high marine and fisheries resources in the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region. Since its inception in 2019, the Program has been working to promote sustainable development in the ATS and improve the quality of life of its inhabitants through a combination of restoration, conservation and sustainable management of marine-coastal ecosystems.

The ATSEA-2 Project is committed to safeguarding the livelihoods and prosperity of coastal people in the ATS region, particularly in transboundary areas, through the implementation of sustainable integrated concepts. ATSEA-2 is a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded program, managed and executed under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) Resource Facility (PRF) is an implementing partner.

For more information on the ATSEA-2 Project, please contact the Regional Project Manager, Dr Handoko Adi Susanto (hasusanto@pemsea.org), visit the project page on iwlearn.net, or the project website.

Words by Stella Yovita Arya Puteri.