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Saving sea turtles

ATSEA-2 hosts regional exchange on sea turtle conservation in Bali

By IW:LEARN

October 30^th, 2023

“As a region, no one should be left behind.”

Dainah Gigiba, a District Fisheries Officer in Papua New Guinea, emphasized the importance of collaboration across the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region during the Regional Exchange on Sea Turtle Conservation in Bali, Indonesia.

“We learned many things during the exchange program for us to take back,” she said.

From 14-16 September 2023, the Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase II (ATSEA-2) Project convened dedicated teams of local community members and government representatives from Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea to synchronize their efforts on the conservation of sea turtles in the region.

Over three days, the participants honed their skills and devised solutions to enhance their respective conservation efforts, laying the groundwork for collaborative regional networks and partnerships that are crucial to addressing transboundary challenges.

“We need to continue these exchange programs because they help us to see where we are, and how we can each do our part," said Dainah, summarizing her experience of the Regiona Exchange. "We need to go back and implement whatever we learned," she added.

Day 1: Setting the stage for collaboration

The journey began with a visit to the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre (TCEC)— a multifaceted haven for breeding, rehabilitation, and edu-tourism — in Serangan, Bali to provide participants with an immersive experience into the world of sea turtle conservation. The day unfolded with “Sea Turtle 101” delivered by local veterinarian and sea turtle expert, Made Jaya Ratha, unraveling the intricacies of sea turtles—from their conservation status to morphology and habitat.

Made Jaya Ratha delivers the Sea Turtle 101 training on day one of the Regional Exchange.

“From handling methods to the hatching process, and from conservation management to socialization with the community, I’ve gained lots of knowledge from the other countries that can be applied to Aru,”

said Iriansyah, a member of the ATSEA-2 Indonesia team working on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and village outreach in the Aru Islands.

“All the information I have received today has been extremely useful,” he added.

The participants shared a seafood dinner on Jimbaran Beach against the backdrop of a Bali sunset — a moment etched with the promise of collaboration.

Day 2: Immersion in action

At Serangan Port, the delegation embarked on a journey to a turtle feeding site off the coast of Sanur, collecting seaweed samples and engaging in tank cleaning activities. This hands-on experience provided a deeper understanding of the essential principles in maintaining sea turtle pools, ensuring the well-being of recuperating animals in captivity.

Back in the seminar room, Made Jaya Ratha delivered sessions on monitoring, data collection, and protocols for rescuing or relocating sea turtles. Subsequently, Made Sukanta from the TCEC provided an enriching narrative on the center's history, infrastructure, operations, and management structure — a beacon of edutourism and conservation partnerships.

Vagileke Rei (left) from Papua New Guinea and Lucas Monteiro (right) from Timor-Leste help clean the sea turtle tanks.

"The conservation efforts here in Bali are excellent," remarked Patricio Villanova, a guardian of nesting beaches in Timor-Leste as he finds inspiration in TCEC's model.

“During the nineties in Timor-Leste, people would fish using nets and bombs, which caused a decline in sea turtle populations. Looking to the future, we’re making sure that the kids get involved, to ensure that sea turtles recover and future generations continue to look after them properly. As a coastal person, I am very grateful this project is helping show us the way forward.”

“This project is showing us the way forward,” says Patricio Villanova, a sea turtle beach monitor from Timor-Leste.

The second day concluded with a sea turtle monitoring activity at Biaung Beach, offering participants insights into nesting sites, successful laying requirements, and the release of 100 olive ridley hatchlings into the sea.

Day 3: Strategizing for a sustainable future

Participants were engaged in a series of case studies, presentations, and plenary sessions on the third and final day. Each representative also underwent a posttest—a testament to the transformative impact of the assembly.

Indeed, the Regional Exchange not only deepened participants' understanding of sea turtle species in the ATS region but also equipped them with the technical know-how and practical experience needed to fortify their conservation initiatives. Fortunately, its impact transcends the individual—bridging distances between delegations, fostering the sharing of knowledge, formulation of best practices, and forging bonds that will sustain long-term conservation efforts on a regional scale.

As participants look forward to a more collaborative future, Dainah Gigiba aptly summed up the shared vision, "In togetherness, we can achieve. Let’s continue to work together to improve the ocean environment in the Arafura and Timor Seas."

With the stage set for a future where the guardians of the seas stand stronger together, the vitality of the Arafura and Timor Seas is indeed ensured for future generations.

Members of the Timor-Leste delegation prepare for their group presentation on day three.

Regional exchange participants received a certificate of completion.

Regional exchange participants from Indonesia, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea with members of the TCEC team.

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, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea, 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 region 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, Handoko Adi Susanto (hasusanto@pemsea.org), visit the project page on iwlearn.net or the project website.