Transboundary Environmental Harm and the Increasing Risk of Oil Spills and Marine Debris in the Semi-Enclosed Arafura and Timor Seas Region

Abstract

The Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region is highly productive and rich in marine resources. With the growing population and economic progress of the region, diverse sources of pollution, including nutrients, oil spills, marine debris, and pesticides, among others have become major concerns. This paper focuses on oil spills from offshore rigs and marine debris, such as plastics and derelict fishing gears, as primary regional concerns. As demonstrated by the historic Montara Wellhead Platform Incident of 2009, an oil spill seriously threatens the region. The once called Joint Petroleum Development Area is analyzed as an oil pollution hotspot in the region. Marine debris, including shoreline and ocean debris (particularly fishing-related debris), is analyzed through various reports and historic vessel traffic data. As a result, the Aru Sea is identified as a seafloor debris hotspot. The lack of scientific data on shoreline debris limits specific hotspot identification, but this study recognizes an increasing trend of marine debris beached on the shores of the ATS countries. The study results emphasize the need to ratify the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation 1990 by the ATS countries, and recommend establishing a regional platform for oil spill preparedness and creating a regional marine debris monitoring program. Collaboration with regional organizations for capacity building on marine debris and oil spill response is also suggested.

Keywords:

• Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS)
• ATSEA-2 program
• marine biodiversity
• maritime boundary treaty of 2018
• oil spill
• oil spill simulation
• regional contingency plan
• response capacity and equipment

Acknowledgements

This paper was prepared as part of the UNDP/PEMSEA ATSEA-2 Project, generously funded by the Global Environment Facility. The authors express their gratitude to country representatives from the Arafura and Timor Seas, UNDP and PEMSEA for their contributions. Special thanks are extended to the anonymous reviewers for their thorough review. Lastly, the authors extend their sincere appreciation to Dr. Alan White and Dr. Alison Green for their invaluable guidance and support in preparing the paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).