CTC Enhances Governance and Secures Municipal Approval for 2026 Work Plan of Samba Sembilan MPA in Liquiça, Timor-Leste

The Coral Triangle Center continues to reinforce marine conservation governance in Timor-Leste through a series of strategic engagements conducted from 9 to 11 February 2026 in Ulmera, Bazartete Administrative Post, Liquiça Municipality. Through this initiative, CTC facilitated the evaluation of the 2024 to 2025 program implementation, presented the 2026 work plan for the Samba Sembilan Marine Protected Area, and led the development and finalization of critical technical instruments required to strengthen monitoring and enforcement systems within the protected area.

The activity brought together 44 participants representing the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Fisheries, the Liquiça Municipal Authority, Unidade Jestaun Autoridade Municipal, the Administrator of Bazartete Administrative Post, the National Police of Timor Leste, village leaders from Ulmera and Mota Ulun, and the Samba Sembilan MPA Management Unit. The strong multi-stakeholder participation reflects growing institutional commitment to effective marine conservation in Liquiça.

Samba Sembilan MPA, covering approximately 6,177 hectares, plays a strategic role in protecting coral reef ecosystems and reef fish populations while supporting coastal livelihoods. The site is part of the regional Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security, reinforcing Timor Leste’s commitment to sustainable marine management within the Coral Triangle region. A major outcome of the February engagement was the successful finalization of three core management instruments, including the Reef Health Monitoring Protocol, the Resource Use Monitoring Protocol, and a Standard Operating Procedure for patrol and surveillance activities within the MPA.

The Reef Health Monitoring Protocol establishes standardized methods for assessing coral reef condition and key ecological indicators. The Resource Use Monitoring Protocol provides structured guidance to document fishing activities and patterns of marine resource utilization. Meanwhile, the patrol SOP defines clear operational procedures to strengthen supervision, ecosystem protection, and visitor safety.
A detailed technical consultation was conducted to ensure that these documents are aligned with local ecological conditions, enforcement capacity, and community realities. To ensure practical implementation, CTC also facilitated simulation exercises on monitoring and patrol procedures with the MPA Management Unit. These hands-on sessions enhanced technical capacity and operational readiness, equipping local managers with the skills required to apply the protocols consistently in the field.

Following the presentation of program achievements and the proposed 2026 Work Plan, municipal authorities requested that the Plan be formally presented at the Municipal Coordination Council. On 16 February 2026, the 2026 Work Plan for Samba Sembilan MPA was officially approved by the Liquiça Municipal Authority through unanimous voting, with 45 votes in favor and no objections. This formal endorsement integrates MPA management priorities into the municipal development framework and significantly strengthens institutional backing for implementation.

The engagement also facilitated a participatory leadership transition within the MPA Management Unit. In response to a request for closer community representation, village leaders from Ulmera and Mota Ulun proposed Mr. Jaime Aniseito Ribeiro as the new MPA Coordinator. The transition process was conducted transparently and received formal acknowledgment from the Administrator of Bazartete Administrative Post and municipal authorities, reinforcing local ownership and legitimacy.

This comprehensive engagement has strengthened governance alignment between national and municipal authorities, finalized standardized monitoring and enforcement instruments, enhanced the technical capacity of the MPA Management Unit, secured formal approval of the 2026 Work Plan, and supported a transparent leadership transition. These achievements mark an important step toward more systematic, accountable, and sustainable management of the Samba Sembilan Marine Protected Area, further demonstrating CTC’s long-term commitment to strengthening marine conservation governance in Timor Leste.

Writers: Asia Salsabilla, Marthen Welly, Egidio Boavida.
Photos: Egidio Boavida/CTC