Safeguarding the Sea: Timor-Leste’s Ongoing Ocean Commitment
Ataúru – A Biodiversity Hotspot and the Heart of Timor-Leste’s Ocean Conservation Efforts
Ataúru Island stands as a vital marine biodiversity hotspot in Timor-Leste, recognized for its rich ecosystems and abundant fish species. The government, under Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, has launched a focused “blue economy” program prioritizing sustainable fishing, environmental education, and community engagement. This initiative includes the revival of traditional practices such as “Tara Bandu,” a customary marine management system implemented in villages like Makili and Bikeli to regulate fishing and protect marine life.
Prime Minister Gusmão expressed pride in Ataúru’s role as a global example of ocean stewardship, emphasizing the importance of maintaining these practices to safeguard the island’s natural wealth. The community actively participates in environmental efforts, including clean-up teams that patrol the waters to remove plastic waste, ensuring the ocean remains healthy and productive.
Ataúru’s population largely depends on fishing for their livelihoods, making the balance between conservation and daily sustenance critical. The “Tara Bandu” zones help regulate fishing activities, allowing fish stocks to replenish while supporting local needs. Additionally, initiatives like the “Green School” program promote environmental awareness among youth, fostering a culture of sustainability.
Together, government leadership and community commitment in Ataúru demonstrate a successful model of integrating traditional knowledge with modern conservation strategies, securing the island’s marine biodiversity for future generations.
Timor-Leste on the Global Stage – Participation in the 2025 UN Ocean Conference
In June 2025, Vice-Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay represented Timor-Leste at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France. The conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, aimed to accelerate global efforts to conserve and sustainably use the ocean, addressing urgent challenges such as climate change, overfishing, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
Vice-Prime Minister Lay joined world leaders, scientists, and civil society in discussions focused on key issues including the Marine Biodiversity Treaty, sustainable fisheries management, expanding marine protected areas, combating plastic pollution, and mobilizing finance for blue economies. The conference emphasized the need for binding commitments and significant investments to protect ocean health.
Timor-Leste reaffirmed its commitment to global ocean governance and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14, which focuses on life below water. Lay’s participation underscored the country’s dedication to integrating scientific knowledge, indigenous wisdom, and community engagement in ocean conservation.
The conference concluded with the adoption of the Nice Ocean Action Plan, a political declaration and registry of voluntary commitments designed to catalyze inclusive, science-based action. Timor-Leste’s active role highlights its growing influence in international efforts to safeguard marine ecosystems for present and future generations.
Challenges and Calls for Action – Addressing Illegal Fishing and Ocean Health
Timor-Leste faces significant challenges from illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which threatens both the environment and the economy. Parliamentary data reveal that illegal fishing activities caused losses exceeding $800 million in 2020 alone, damaging fish stocks and marine biodiversity.
Government officials acknowledge the urgent need to strengthen enforcement despite budgetary constraints. The 2025 budget allocates limited funds for aquatic health control and species research, insufficient to fully address illegal fishing and ecosystem degradation. Vice Minister Adérito Hugo da Costa highlighted past lapses where international companies exploited Timor-Leste’s waters, underscoring the need for stricter oversight.
President José Ramos-Horta has called for collective responsibility, emphasizing the cultural and ecological importance of the ocean to Timor-Leste’s coastal communities. He urged international cooperation, scientific innovation, and community participation to protect marine resources.
Sustaining Timor-Leste’s ocean health requires a unified approach that balances economic development with conservation. The government’s commitment, combined with global partnerships and local stewardship, is essential to preserve the ocean’s bounty for future generations.