Timor Leste Establishes Two MPAs

The Government of Timor-Leste has established two marine protected areas (MPAs) as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard the country’s marine resources.

Letters of agreement for the Atauro and Batugade MPAs have been finalized, with the Atauro MPA formally established, according to a visiting team from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The ADB team recently conducted a midterm review of Timor-Leste’s coastal and marine resource management programs in the Coral Triangle. One of the main objectives was to identify design and implementation challenges, assess lessons learned, and recommend solutions and adjustments for the remainder of the project.

Despite their relatively small size of about 40 hectares each, the two MPAs are seen as valuable “first steps.” The Batugade site offers a political opportunity to explore the establishment of a joint international MPA spanning areas on both sides of the Timor-Leste–Indonesia border.

“The local communities and NGOs establishing MPAs will need stronger links with government agencies,” noted Shane Rosenthal, ADB Resident Representative in Timor-Leste.

Lourenço Borges Fontes, Director General of Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, stated that the government aims to implement climate change programs and strengthen the capacities of government, NGOs, and local communities to manage marine and coastal resources more effectively.

In addition to ADB, the Global Environment Facility is also supporting Timor-Leste’s coastal management programs.

Source: Coral Triangle Knowledge Network (external link)