Timor-Leste

Blue Ventures develops transformative approaches for catalyzing and sustaining locally led marine conservation. Working in places where the ocean is vital to local cultures and economies, Blue Ventures is committed to protecting marine biodiversity in ways that benefit coastal communities.

Despite its unrivaled natural beauty and enchanting culture, Timor-Leste remains stifled by poverty and is often reliant on unsustainable uses of natural resources.

Blue Ventures works alongside small-scale fishing communities to co-design practical, durable ways to conserve the ocean and its rich natural resources through locally led marine conservation initiatives. These initiatives include temporary and permanent fisheries closures and diversifying livelihoods to provide sustainable income and food sources to coastal communities. Blue Ventures also establishes community-based seagrass monitoring programs in the villages of Beloi and Biqueli on Atauro.

Under the Seagrass Ecosystem Services Project, these initiatives will be replicated at two carefully chosen sites on the Timor-Leste mainland: Beto Tasi and Tasi Tolu. These two villages are based within the historic capital city, Dili, a large urban area with many small fisheries operating in and around unprotected seagrass habitats. The extent, distribution and health of the seagrass is currently unknown, however the local community understand its importance to fisheries, as well as to sea turtles and the friendly resident dugong known as Doug.

Beto Tasi is a semi-rural community located within walking distance of Timor-Leste’s international airport and bordered by beaches with popular dive sites. Recently, an underwater cave supporting a flourishing and important fish nursery was discovered near Beto Tasi, prompting the community to request the area be protected, with a view to securing fisheries for future generations. This is the most urban location Blue Ventures has worked in within Timor-Leste, offering a unique opportunity for learning and adaptation to fit this new and exciting context.

The extent, distribution and health of the seagrass is currently unknown, but the local community understand its importance for fisheries.

Under this project, Blue Ventures establishes community-led seagrass monitoring teams trained to manage, protect, and restore this important resource and marine environment. This work is supported through policy development, a variety of innovative and alternative livelihoods such as homestays, community-based tourism products and services, and blue carbon credit systems. Ultimately, these initiatives reduce the vulnerability of these coastal communities and build resilience in the face of increasing global environmental challenges.

Seagrass survey in Timor Leste.
© Blue Ventures

Achievements

The scientific component of the project has produced compelling results, effectively bridging knowledge gaps and establishing critical baselines at the project sites. These insights are captured in comprehensive reports developed through robust collaboration between national partners and esteemed technical experts from Edith Cowan University, Project Seagrass, and Seagrass Watch. By actively engaging local communities, we have gathered invaluable data on the status and threats facing seagrass meadows at various project sites. The reports also include detailed maps showcasing blue carbon assessments, seagrass ecosystem services, and precise seagrass mapping.

You can access the technical reports from Timor-Leste, submitted as part of the IKI Seagrass Ecosystem Services Project, here:

1. Seagrass Mapping

2. Blue Carbon Assessment

3. Seagrass Ecosystem Services Evaluation

Watch to discover how empowered communities are making a difference in dugong and seagrass conservation in Timor-Leste: Du’ut-Tasi: Seagrass inspires marine management in Timor-Leste