Two marine areas in Timor-Leste are being proposed for Marine Protected Area (MPA) development following field assessments that identified important marine habitats, fishing grounds, and biodiversity. The proposed MPAs, Metinaro–Ilimano on the northern coast and Manufahi–Natarbora on the southern coast, are expected to contribute more than 60,000 hectares to the country’s marine conservation efforts. The…
Joint patrol teams recently took to the water in Timor-Leste, sweeping through two key marine protected areas (MPAs) to monitor local resource use and enforce conservation regulations. Supported by the Coral Triangle Center (CTC), the operations brought together government agencies, MPA management units, and security authorities to keep a watchful eye on MPA Samba Sembilan…
On August 29, 2026, Coral Triangle Center (CTC) welcomed the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, H.E. Xanana Gusmão, together with a delegation of 25 representatives from the Prime Minister’s Land and Maritime Office (LMBO). The delegation was led by Mrs. Elizabeth Exposto, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister and CEO of LMBO, and included Mr….
On July 17, 2026, Coral Triangle Center (CTC) and its partners conducted the first Resource Utilization Monitoring (RUM) and joint patrol in the Samba Sembilan Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Liquiça, Timor-Leste. As the patrol boat moved through the protected waters, a pod of dolphins surfaced alongside the team, an unexpected sight and an encouraging…
Expanding a Marine Protected Area (MPA) is more than just defining new boundaries. It requires a thorough understanding of both marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. To support the expansion of the Manufahi MPA into Natarbora and the Metinaro MPA into Ilimano, the Coral Triangle Center (CTC) conducted a Marine Rapid Assessment…
Protecting the ocean starts with the people who live with it every day — the ones who know it best. This World Ocean Day, communities across Atauro Island came together to protect one of Timor-Leste’s most important marine areas. From June 1 to 5, 2026, the Coral Triangle Center (CTC), in collaboration with the Ministry…
In mid-May, the Coral Triangle Center (CTC) conducted a five-day program on Atauro Island Marine Protected Area (MPA). The program was designed around three components central to keeping the MPA operational: community understanding of the zonation system, maintenance of physical boundary markers, and collaborative patrols. In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and…
Continuing its efforts to strengthen community involvement in marine conservation efforts in Timor-Leste, the Coral Triangle Center (CTC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry (MALFF) and the MPA Samba Sembilan Management Unit, carried out another round of socialization activities on 13-14 April 2026 in Mota-Ulun Village, Liquica Municipality. The two-day…
The Coral Triangle Center (CTC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Fisheries (MALFF), the Samba Sembilan Marine Protected Area (MPA) Management Unit, and the Municipal Authority of Liquica, is advancing community-based marine conservation through targeted outreach in Ulmera Village. Held on March 16–17, 2026, the two-day activity focused on socializing the…