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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Implementation of the Arafura and Timor Seas Regional and National Strategic Action Programs

(
Local / Regional Government
)
#OceanAction40802
    Description
    Description
    This initiative focuses on the implementation of the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) Strategic Action Program (SAP) that was endorsed by the ministers of Australia, Indonesia and Timor Leste in 2014. The SAP outlines the regional and national/local actions to address transboundary environmental concerns that include: a) the increasing pressure from unsustainable fisheries and decline and loss of living coastal and marine resources; b) modification, degradation and loss of coastal and marine habitats; c) marine and land-based pollution; d) decline and loss of key species; and e) climate change.

    The objective is to enhance the sustainable development of the ATS region to protect biodiversity and improve the quality of life of its inhabitants through conservation and sustainable management of marine-coastal ecosystems. The following interventions serve to address the obstacles to sustainable management of this large marine ecosystem: a) supporting regional governance towards joint management of the ATS by the littoral countries; b) recovery of and sustaining fisheries; c) restoring degraded habitats for sustainable provision of ecosystem services; d) reducing land-based and marine sources of pollution; e) protecting key marine species; f) supporting people- and ecosystem-based adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
    Partners
    Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of Timor Leste, National Fisheries Authority of Papua New Guinea, PEMSEA Resource Facility, Government of Australia

    Goal 14

    Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    Goal 14

    14.1

    By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

    14.1.1

    (a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

    14.2

    By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

    14.2.1

    Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

    14.3

    Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

    14.3.1
    Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

    14.4

    By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

    14.4.1
    Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

    14.5

    By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

    14.5.1
    Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

    14.6

    By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

    14.6.1

    Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

    14.7

    By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

    14.7.1

    Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

    14.a

    Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

    14.a.1
    Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

    14.b

    Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

    14.b.1

    Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

    14.c

    Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

    14.c.1

    Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

    Name Description
    14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
    14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
    14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
    New MPAs designated in Indonesia and Timor Leste covering 645,000 ha in area including approximately 220,000 ha in mangrove ecosystems with corresponding management plans prepared
    Improved use of fish gear/techniques: In Aru, Indonesia, 50% of vessels within the shrimp and red snapper fisheries using improved gear and 25% of vessels applying improved gear to reduce turtle bycatch; In South Coast, Timor Leste, 50% of vessels in the mackerel fishery using improved gear/techniques; in South Fly, PNG, 25% of vessels using improved gear/techniques
    Up to 5 management plans and appropriate measures implemented for rebuilding or protecting fish stocks including alternative management approaches; up to 5 communities of fishers have adopted an ecosystem approach to fisheries management.
    Integrated coastal management plans and reforms to protect coastal zones in one site each in Indonesia and Timor Leste
    Financing (in USD)
    10045662
    In-kind contribution
    60200000
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
    Implementation of the Arafura and Timor Seas Regional and National Strategic Action Programs
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    Timeline
    01 January 1970 (start date)
    01 January 1970 (date of completion)
    Entity
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
    SDGs
    Geographical coverage
    New York, New York
    Ocean Basins
    South Pacific
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Marine and coastal ecosystems management
    Countries
    Indonesia
    Indonesia
    Papua New Guinea
    Papua New Guinea
    Timor-Leste
    Timor-Leste
    Contact Information

    Jose Padilla, Regional Technical Advisor