Seascape Working Group

The CTI-CFF defines "Seascape" as a “large, multiple-use coastal and marine area, scientifically and strategically defined, in which governments, communities, private organizations, and other stakeholders cooperate, collaborate, and coordinate to manage for sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and human well-being”.

The Coral Triangle has three priority seascapes; the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape (SSS), the Lesser Sunda Seascape (LSS), and the Bismarck Solomon Seas Ecoregion (BSSE). These priority seascapes were endorsed through Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) decisions. These priority seascapes represent not only the natural richness of the Coral Triangle but also its critical role in sustaining both biodiversity and human well-being.

The Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape is renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity. Spanning the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, this sub-regional seascape harbors coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds that support vibrant marine life and millions of people. Our work here is to strengthen transboundary cooperation, protect key habitats, and ensure sustainable fisheries. Conservation efforts focus on balancing ecological health with the needs of communities that depend on these waters for livelihoods.

The Bismarck Solomon Seas Seascape, shared by Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, is another priority area. This seascape boasts extensive coral reefs, and fisheries crucial to local economies and global biodiversity. It serves as a spawning ground for tuna and other vital species. The CTI-CFF’s initiatives in this sub-regional seascape promote habitat protection, sustainable fishing practices, and resilience to climate change, ensuring long-term benefits for ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.

The Lesser Sunda Seascape covers parts of Indonesia and Timor-Leste and is characterized by rugged coastlines, coral reefs, and deep-sea habitats. It is a hotspot for migratory species, including whales and turtles, and supports local fisheries that sustain coastal populations. CTI-CFF's efforts in this region focus on transboundary protected areas, habitat restoration, and the mitigation of threats like illegal fishing and overexploitation.

A nominated member country convenes each sub-regional seascape, to coordinate the implementation of activities related to the RPOA 2.0 targets, with the assistance of CTI-CFF strategic partners and respective national partners. The Seascapes Technical Working Group leads the overall coordination of the seascape’s activities and provides inputs and recommendations to the CTI-CFF relating to progress activity implementation. By fostering collaboration among the member countries, and organizations, the initiative aims to maintain the ecological integrity of these sub-regional seascapes while supporting sustainable development.

• 
  Chairperson: Papua New Guinea
• Vice chair: Timor Leste

This is the link to Seascape TOR/Rules and Regulation approved in SOM-14: 

• Rules of Procedures of the CTI-CFF Seascapes
  • Seascape Working Group Goals, Targets and Indicators

The CTI-CFF Seascape Working Group is a working group developed by the six (6) Member Countries of Coral Triangle to help implement Goal 1 of the CTI-CFF Regional Plan of Action, Priority Seascapes Designated and Effectively Managed. The role of this working group is to regulate all activities including programs and projects in the CTI-CFF related to the Priority Seascape and established the Priority Seascapes.

The CTI-CFF Seascape Working Group members of 2021 - 2022 are as follows:

Country	Name	Position	Email
Indonesia	Mr. Suharyanto, M.Sc	Director of Marine Spatial Planning	suharyanto.009@gmail.com
Indonesia	M. Rusman Manafi	Assistant Deputy for Coastal and Marine Spatial Management	sekr.dittrlp3k@gmail.com
Indonesia	Indonesia NCC Secretariat	Indonesia NCC Secretariat	ncc.indonesia@cticff.org
Malaysia	Dr. Norasma Dacho	Principal Assistant Director for Resource Management and Conservation Office	norasma.dacho@sabah.gov.my
Malaysia	Ms. Sylvia Scholastica Michael Dalansing	Fisheries Officer	ssylvia9290@gmail.com
Malaysia	Malaysia NCC Secretariat	Malaysia NCC Secretariat	ctimalaysia@kasa.gov.my
Papua New Guinea	Ms. Yvonne Tio	Executive Manageress	ytio@cepa.gov.pg
Papua New Guinea	Ms Phelameya Haiveta	Officer, CEPA	phelameya@gmail.com
Papua New Guinea	Papua New Guinea NCC Secretariat	Papua New Guinea NCC Secretariat	pngctincc@gmail.com
Philippines	Ms. Natividad Y. Bernardino	OIC Director, Biodiversity Management Bureau, DENR	bmb@bmb.gov.ph
Philippines	Atty. Demosthenes R. Escoto	OIC Director, Bureau Fisheries and Aquatic Resources	--
Philippines	Ms. Janice Tuante Cubo	Aquaculturist II, BFAR	tuantejanice@gmail.com
Philippines	Philippines NCC Secretariat	Philippines NCC Secretariat	philippinesncc@cti.org
Solomon Islands	Mr. Chris Taufao	Deputy Director of Inshore Fisheries Division, MFMR	ctaufao@fisheries.gov.sb
Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands NCC Secretariat	Solomon Islands NCC Secretariat	solomonislandsncc@cticff.org
Timor-Leste	Ms. Cassilda de Sousa	Head of Department of Fisheries Management	cassildadesousa@fisheries.gov.tl
Timor-Leste	Mr. Sebastiao Hornai	National Director of Fisheries	seba_hornai@fisheries.gov.tl
Timor-Leste	Timor-Leste NCC Secretariat	Timor-Leste NCC Secretariat	timorlestencc@cticff.org

General Description of FRWG

The Financial Resources Working Group (FRWG) is driving efforts to secure sustainable, long-term financing for CTI-CFF’s conservation and development priorities by establishing a strong financial architecture for the region. Central to this is the Coral Triangle Conservation Fund (CTCF), a regional trust fund that mobilizes resources from donors, the private sector, and innovative mechanisms such as blended finance and public-private partnerships to support marine conservation, climate resilience, and community initiatives. Guided by RPOA 2.0 targets, the FRWG is advancing innovative financing solutions, strengthening regional and national partnerships, and ensuring effective governance of funds. Through coordinated collaboration with member countries and partners, these efforts aim to secure stable, long-term funding to sustain conservation impact across the Coral Triangle.