Timor-Leste

Mission

Programme

Tahi Opu is focussed on stopping illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Timor-Leste's EEZ - which is costing $10 - $20M a year - by supporting communities, fisheries inspectors and the maritime police.

Over the next 5 years we are implementing a marine monitoring and enforcement strategy employing night-vision binoculars, satellite phones, motorbikes, drones, a vessel, digital systems, training and legal support.

Illegal fishing threat

Our surveillance iniatives have identfied incidents of illegal fishing activity. It is estimated up to 45 illegal boats enter Timor-Leste waters every day. Working with the Fisheries Inspectorate and the Maritime Police we are building up a detailed picture of where and when IUU fishing takes place and how to stop it.

Project components

Drone Surveillance Network

10-drone fleet (long range fixed wing & multi-rotor) forming the operational backbone of EEZ monitoring

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Kapuru A'i Patrol Vessel

20m hybrid sailing vessel with drone helipad, fast RIB, and VIP education accomodation

Marine Ranger Training

10 Timorese rangers trained in drone operations, fisheries law, evidence handling and species ID

Mooring Infrastructure

4 heavy-duty eco-moorings at patrol hubs, enabling reef-safe operations in biodiversity hotspots

Regulated whale-watching & eco-patrol voyages generating income to sustain operations long term

Government Framework

MOU with Fisheries & Maritime Police; a pathway to a nation Marine Protection Agency

MARINE LIFE

One of the world's richest marine environments

Timor-Leste’s fringing reefs are incredibly diverse, with species varying from small brightly coloured nudibranchs, corals and reef fish, to manta rays, turtles, dugongs, dolphins and whales. Even dugongs and whale sharks are seen throughout the year. In open water off the coast, schooling fish such as tuna, bonito and mackerel are found.

Atauro, a small island north of the capital, Dili, has recently been found to have the greatest diversity of reef fish in the world, with 642 species found around the island, and a maximum of 312 species at a single site.

Timor-Leste is a global hotspot for cetaceans, and during migration season, the deep waters become a major route between the Pacific and Indian Oceans for many species. At least 22 species have been recorded, with whale species such as blue, humpback, sperm, Bryde’s, and dolphin species including common, bottle-nose, spinner, short-finned pilot, Risso’s, and pygmy killer whales.