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FACTSHEET XX
Broader Australian Government
Activities in the Coral Triangle region
Background
As well as direct support for the Coral Triangle Initiative (the Initiative), the Australian
Government invests in the Coral Triangle region and surrounding areas through a range of
programs and regional fora which have complementary goals to the Initiative. A selection of
relevant programs and initiatives follows. The information is current as of 2010-11, and will
be updated over time.
As a part of its support for the Initiative, the Australian Government will ensure coordination
with complementary programs, and where appropriate build on existing efforts or implement
activities through existing programs and initiatives.
Fisheries Management and Development
Through AusAID, core funding of around $14.2 million annually is provided to a number of
regional bodies with a focus on sustainable fisheries management and development, including:

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s program, which covers a range of sectors
including marine.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program to support its Pacific
Future’s and Island Ecosystems Programs.

Forum Fisheries Agency, to support sustainable fisheries management and
development in the Pacific region.
The Food Security through Rural Development Initiative, administered by AusAid, will provide
up to $23 million to strengthen fisheries management and promote the contribution of fisheries
to food security in the Pacific.
The Australian Government engages in and supports fisheries issues in South East Asia under
the Regional Plan of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices Including Combating
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing in the Region (the Plan). The Plan aims to
strengthen fisheries management and governance, sustain fisheries resources and the marine
environment, promote responsible fishing practices and combat Illegal, unreported and
unregulated fishing. Current projects supporting implementation of the Plan, lead by the
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Australian Fisheries Management
Authority, include:

Implementing a framework for model fisheries legislation to facilitate effective legal
action against combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and support
responsible fisheries governance.

Developing a framework for fisheries development assistance to guide efforts in
human and institutional capacity building in fisheries management.
Broader Australian Government
Activities in the Coral Triangle Region

Participation in the coordination committee and regional Monitoring, Control and
Surveillance networks.

Public information.

Developing capacity within Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Timor Leste fisheries
agencies.
Several Australian Government agencies also work bilaterally with some countries in the Coral
Triangle region in relation to operational fisheries issues such as surveillance and enforcement.
For example, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority is currently working with the
Governments of Indonesia and Timor Leste to conduct an officer exchange program aimed at
building awareness of, and capacity to implement, best practice in fisheries management.
The Australian Government participates in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, Fisheries
Working Group in support of collaboration among participating economies on improved fisheries
management in the Asia Pacific region.
Climate Change Adaptation
The Australian Government is supporting action on high-priority climate change adaptation
needs in vulnerable countries in our region through the International Climate Change Adaptation
Initiative. Funding for this initiative, initially $150 million over three years, was extended in 2010
by $178.2 million for a further two years, 2011-12 to 2012-13. The Initiative is jointly
administered by AusAID and the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
Activities under the International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative include:

$20 million for the Pacific Climate Change Science Program, through which Australia is
assisting decision makers and planners better understand how climate and oceans
have changed and how they might change in the future.

$12 million for the Pacific Adaptation Strategy Assistance Program, aimed at
strengthening the capacity of countries to assess their vulnerabilities to climate change
and develop evidence-based adaptation strategies.

$25 million to support activities in Pacific Island countries to implement priority
adaptation actions, focused initially on infrastructure, health, water and disaster risk
reduction.

$3 million for the Pacific Future Climate Leaders Program, which will work to build a
group of Pacific leaders with a greater understanding of climate change and tools to
enhance resilience.

$2.7 million to support the community based adaptation work of non-government
organisations in the Pacific.

$6 million to support the adaptation work program of Pacific Regional Organisations,
comprising the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and the Secretariat of the Pacific
Regional Environment Program.

$4 million for the Pacific component of the Mekong and Asia Pacific Community-based
Adaptation Program, which is supporting the implementation of small scale priority
adaptation measures at local levels in 14 Pacific Island countries.

$4.3 million to upgrade the network of climate monitoring stations in the Pacific, in
conjunction with the Bureau of Meteorology.
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Broader Australian Government
Activities in the Coral Triangle Region

Contributions to the Pacific Community–based Adaptation Small Grants Program, which
is providing funds to implement priority adaptation measures at the local level.
The Australian Government is supporting rural livelihoods adaptation under the AusAID-CSIRO
Research for Development Alliance, including projects to understand vulnerability and identify
adaptation strategies for rural livelihoods at sites in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Marine Spatial Management – Ecoregions, Seascapes and Marine
Protected Areas
The Australian Government participates in the Arafura and Timor Seas Expert Forum (the
Forum). The Forum is a mechanism to identify cooperative research agendas and opportunities
to improve information sharing and foster collaboration for sustainable management of the
Arafura and Timor Seas. Its key present focus is the Global Environment Facility funded Arafura
and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Project (the Project). The Project will assess the state of the
environment and resources of the Arafura and Timor Seas, including pressures, threats and
impacts. Based on that assessment, a Regional Strategic Action Program and National Action
Plans will be developed, and pilot projects implemented.
The Australian Government participates in and is supporting the Forum and Project. A number
of Australian institutions, such as the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Charles Darwin
University, and the Australian National University, also participate. The Australian Government
and Australian institutions coordinate involvement through a National Steering Committee,
convened by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and
Communities.
Threatened and migratory species conservation
The Australian Government works through the framework of the Convention on the
Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals to develop and support regional and
international conservation arrangements for migratory species. This includes the:

Memorandum of Understanding for the Conservation of Cetaceans and their Habitats in
the Pacific Islands Region

Indian Ocean–South East Asian Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding

Memorandum of Understanding for the Conservation and Management of Migratory
Sharks

Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs and
their Habitats throughout their Range
The Australian Government works with and supports countries in the region to effectively
implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora.
Through the Indo-Pacific Cetacean Research and Conservation Fund, the Australian
Government supports innovative research that address priority cetacean research and
conservation challenges of interest to the Australian Government, developing countries in the
Indo-Pacific Region, and the cetacean research and conservation community more generally.
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Broader Australian Government
Activities in the Coral Triangle Region
Research to inform policy and management
The Australian Government supports research in the Coral Triangle region as an underpinning
for policy and management.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has several
significant programs of research in train that respond to the challenges facing the Coral
Triangle. Activities under CSIRO’s Wealth from Oceans Flagship, Climate Adaptation Flagship,
Food Futures Flagship and CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems include:

Cost effective assessment of linked terrestrial-marine conservation assets in Melanesia
to guide effective natural resource management.

Understanding coastal oceanic systems and their interaction with mining (including
deep sea tails disposal), artisanal fishing and climate.

Impacts of coral bleaching on shallow reef environments.

Assessing the vulnerability of rural livelihoods in the Pacific to climate change.

Developing new assessment and policy frameworks for Indonesia’s marine fisheries,
including the control and management of illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science works in many of the Coral Triangle countries,
particularly Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, and also has a program of broader
regional engagement. The Australian Institute of Marine Science undertakes and supports a
range of research activities in support of sustainable use and conservation of the marine
resources of the Coral Triangle in areas such as:

Marine surveys for ecotourism.

Marine productivity.

Sustainable fin fish culture.

Coral reefs restoration and monitoring.

Fisheries and aquaculture vulnerability.
In addition to these Australian Government research institutions, a number of Australian
universities have active marine and coastal research programs in the Coral Triangle region,
including Australian National University, James Cook University, Charles Darwin University,
University of Wollongong, University of Western Australia and the University of Queensland.
Images:
Fishing on the coast of west Lombok, Indonesia – Josh Estey
Coral – Amanda Parr
© Commonwealth of Australia 2011 This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act
1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests
and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to Department of Sustainability, Environment,
Water, Populations and Communities, Public Affairs, GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601 or email
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