Empowering Coastal Communities to Protect Sea Turtles and Sustain Livelihoods in Atauro MPA, Timor-Leste

The Coral Triangle Center (CTC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Fisheries (MALFF), the Atauro Marine Protected Area Management Unit (MPA Management Unit), the Atauro Administrative Authority, the Maritime Police Unit, the Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) Naval Force, and Blue Ventures, is advancing marine conservation efforts in the Atauro Island Marine Protected Area (MPA) through an initiative that links sea turtle protection with sustainable community livelihoods.

Conducted from March 19 to 20, 2026, in Akrema and surrounding waters, the initiative focused on strengthening community participation, promoting conservation-based alternative livelihoods, and reinforcing monitoring and compliance within the 13,352.22 hectare of marine protected area.

Located between the Dili Strait and the Liran Strait, the Atauro MPA is divided into five zones, including core no-take areas, marine tourism zones, temporary protection zones, sustainable fisheries zones, and aquaculture zones. These zones are designed to protect marine biodiversity while supporting sustainable use by coastal communities.

A coordination meeting held on March 19 brought together 35 participants, including fishers, women’s groups, youth, traditional and church leaders, and representatives of the Tara Bandu structure. The session introduced sea turtle conservation as a pathway for alternative livelihoods, particularly through ecotourism, while raising awareness of threats such as poaching and habitat degradation.

The participatory discussions led to the establishment of a Sea Turtle Conservation Group in Akrema, with Mr. Abiu elected as coordinator. The group is expected to lead community-based efforts to protect nesting sites and promote sustainable practices, strengthening local ownership of conservation initiatives.

On March 20, a joint Resource Use Monitoring (RUM) and patrol operation was carried out across the eastern waters of the Atauro MPA to monitor fishing activities and ensure compliance with zoning regulations. The patrol recorded 11 vessels operating within the area, consisting of 10 fishing boats and one tourism vessel, with no violations identified, including in core protected zones.

Challenging sea conditions, with wave heights reaching up to 1.5 meters, limited access to the western part of the island during the patrol, highlighting the need for adaptive monitoring strategies to ensure full coverage in future operations. Data collected during the activity will support ongoing management and enforcement efforts.

The initiative demonstrates the effectiveness of a participatory approach that positions communities as active managers of marine resources. By combining conservation action with livelihood opportunities, CTC and its partners are strengthening long-term sustainability while building community commitment to protecting Atauro’s marine ecosystems.

Writer: Asia Salsabilla, Marthen Welly, Egidio Boavida
Photos: Egidio Boavida/CTC