Atauro Island MPA
Marine Life & Environmental Threats
Atauro Island is recognized as one of the most biodiverse marine areas globally. Its surrounding waters host complete coastal ecosystems, including fringing coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. Surveys have recorded 642 species of reef fish, giving Atauro the highest average reef fish diversity in the world. Charismatic species include the Napoleon wrasse, classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and the humphead parrotfish, listed as Vulnerable.
Atauro’s waters are also a migration corridor for whales and dolphins. The blue whale, listed as Endangered, migrates through each October. Other species include the melon-headed whale and the sperm whale. Dugongs are also present, along with five turtle species: the Endangered green turtle, Critically Endangered hawksbill turtle, and the leatherback, olive ridley, and loggerhead turtles, all listed as Vulnerable.
Despite this richness, threats persist. Protected animals such as dugongs and turtles are still captured, while destructive fishing using dynamite and cyanide damages habitats. Fishers from outside Atauro also exploit the waters. Growing local population and tourism increase demand for fish, adding pressure on species such as snapper and grouper. They also exacerbate waste pollution, as processing facilities remain limited.
Location Map
Management & Conservation through Collaborations & Partnerships
Atauro’s MPA management is built on partnerships among government, communities, NGOs, and international supporters. A collaborative Management Unit led by MAF coordinates daily operations, supported by an Advisory Council that includes representatives from MAF, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Economy, the Presidential Authority of Atauro Island, and religious and customary leaders.
Since 2013, CTC has been a core partner of the government and local communities in establishing the Atauro Island MPA, training more than 190 participants from government agencies, universities, and NGOs. These sessions have strengthened local capacity in areas such as MPA establishment, spatial planning, species and habitat management, zoning, and monitoring of resource use. CTC also carried out Manta Tow surveys in 2014 and a Marine Rapid Assessment in 2017 to support science-based management.
The MPA’s five zones—Core, Marine Tourism, Sustainable Fisheries, Mariculture, and Temporary Protected (Tara Bandu)—blend modern conservation planning with customary law. Tara Bandu integrates local traditions into the zoning system, strengthening compliance and stewardship.
Recent programs highlight this collaborative spirit. In 2023, CTC and MAF facilitated alternative livelihood training for women in fishing communities, focusing on fish-based food products. Through the CTI-CFF Women Leaders Forum, CTC also supports women leaders in Atauro who are developing community solutions to plastic waste. Notably, two women leaders from Atauro were recently selected for the Intergenerational Leadership Learning Program, receiving small grants to implement community-based solutions to plastic waste.
Learning & Impact
The Atauro MPA demonstrates how traditional ecological knowledge can reinforce modern conservation. The integration of Tara Bandu—customary laws that restrict harvesting during certain periods—into the zoning system has increased local ownership. This co-management approach bridges the gap between formal governance and traditional authority, and it is recognized by the Timorese Constitution as part of the nation’s adat system—a set of customary laws and practices that govern traditional community life.
A holistic approach to managing the MPA has been adopted to directly address major threats such as destructive fishing, overexploitation, pollution, and insufficient enforcement. Strategies include developing alternative livelihoods, promoting non-destructive fishing methods, and conducting public awareness campaigns. CTC’s role in supporting women leaders on plastic waste management provides an example of targeted, community-driven threat reduction.
Linking conservation to economic opportunity is another key lesson. The MPA supports community income through ecotourism activities such as adoption and release of sea turtles, coral adoption, and fish-based products, while micro-credit programs help expand local enterprises. These efforts show that conservation succeeds when communities see tangible benefits.
Atauro’s approach—combining science-based management, strong local participation, traditional knowledge, and sustainable economic development—demonstrates an example of inclusive and adaptive marine management and conservation.
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