In June 26-28, 2024, CTC in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry (MALFF) Timor-Leste, the Roman Luan Foundation and the Administrator of Atauro Island, facilitated workshops and training to develop protocols and SOPs to support management effectiveness in the Atauro Island Marine Protected Area (MPA).

The three-day event was attended by 45 participants, including representatives of MALFF – the management unit of Atauro MPA and the administrative authority  of Atauro. Three key outputs of the workshop and training were the development of protocols and SOPs for patrol Governance, Reef Health Monitoring (RHM) and Resource Utilization Monitoring (RUM). These guidelines will help conduct regular monitoring in the Atauro Island MPA to measure management effectiveness.

Marine Protected Area (MPA) management effectiveness is the degree to which an MPA has achieved its goals and objectives. Some of the indicators of MPA management effectiveness are good governance, positive ecological impacts and improvement in the area’s socio- economic and cultural conditions.

On the last day, June 28, the training focused on the implementation of the RUM protocol and Patrol SOP in the Atauro Island MPA. Using a speedboat, the participants recorded data with GPS, observed with binoculars and conducted interviews with fishers. Every boat  and activity observed in the Atauro Island MPA was investigated, as well as all stationary activities such as seaweed farming, ports and mooring buoys. The training resulted in providing participants with a practical understanding of all aspects of the RUM protocol and Patrol SOP implementation.

As we know, Timor-Leste has rich marine biodiversity, including coral reef ecosystems, seagrass beds and mangroves. Its waters are recognized as important habitats for dugongs, turtles and saltwater crocodiles, as well as a significant migration route for marine species such as whales and dolphins. They are also crucial for local communities as sources of food and income from fisheries and marine tourism.

Since 2013, CTC has worked with local partners, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), Dili District Government and Roman Luan Foundation to support the establishment of Atauro Island MPA. Today, the Atauro Island MPA was officially legalized under a Ministerial Decree by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries of Timor-Leste.

This MPA is the first of its kind established in Timor-Leste. The development of monitoring and survey protocols, as well as patrol SOPs, is part of an effort to strengthen the management effectiveness of the Atauro Island MPA. This represents a significant step forward in the management of marine resources and conservation efforts in the Atauro Island MPA.

Writers: Adam Putra, Egidio Boavida, Marthen Welly
Photos: Egidio Boavida/CTC, Mike Veitch