From Conservation International

Timor Leste Gives Fisheries A Boost With First "No Take Zones"

Marking a significant day in the ten-year history of the nation of The Republic Democratic of Timor-Leste, Conservation International (CI) applauds its government for the establishment of the nation’s first ‘No Take Zones’ (NTZs), where fishing restrictions and other protective measures have been put in place to enable the replenishment of fish stocks and the protection of coral reefs that support local people. The protective measures are aimed at conserving the as-yet unrealized value of Timor-Leste’s marine-based natural capital, which is essential for the food security and economic development of one of the world’s newest and least developed countries.

The announcement of these zones was made by the Timor-Leste Secretary of State for Fisheries, Rafael Pereira Goncalves in an event held today in Com, a coastal community five hours from the capital of Dili. The event was attended by Judith Fergin Timor-Leste’s U.S. Ambassador, Mr. Rick Scott, USAID Mission Director, senior officials from the Timor-Leste Government and community leaders, in demonstration of the joint commitment which has brought about these important management improvements.

The seven ‘No Take Zones’ are embedded within broader multiple-use marine protected areas, covering 207 square kilometers of coastal waters of the Island nation’s only National Park. The zones encompass important coral reefs which help maximize climate resilience, serve as reef fish spawning sites, enable fisheries replenishment, and protect key dive and snorkel sites for tourism purposes.

Rafael Gonçalves, Timor Leste’s Secretary of State for Fisheries and Aquaculture said, ‘We appreciate the interest in the development of fisheries sector in Timor-Leste, this sector that plays an important role in the prevention of malnutrition, food security and livelihoods of fishermen and people of Timor-Leste.’

“Today’s launch of the No Take Zones holds great promise for the future of Timor-Leste’s marine environments and the contribution they can make to artisanal fisheries, local livelihoods and economic development,” said Conservation International’s Timor-Leste Country Director, Candice Mohan. “A well managed coastal ecosystem is extremely valuable. It can provide a sustainable supply of seafood, is critical for marine tourism, and increases the resilience of local communities to the pressures of climate change by ensuring diversified livelihood options.”

The announcement of the NTZs follows the results of a Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) marine survey of Timor-Leste’s coastal waters, carried out in August 2012 at the request of the Government and led by Conservation International (CI) with generous support from USAID’s Coral Triangle Support Partnership (CTSP) award. The survey was conducted by a team of international and Timorese scientists and the results showed that the coral reefs in Timor-Leste were some of the healthiest and most diverse in the world.

‘We found that the coastal waters surrounding Timor Leste contains the second-highest average of reef fish species per site for any region on Earth to date,’ said Dr. Mark Erdmann, a CI marine adviser and biologist. “This biodiversity also extends to the coral reefs, with three potentially new coral species identified.”

The survey results have increased Timor-Leste’s reef fish species records to a highly significant 814 species (six of which are likely new species), with visual counts averaging nearly 212 species per site. The coral reefs that were surveyed were also recorded as being exposed to cooler water temperatures than reefs in neighboring countries. This, combined with strong currents, is likely to confer strong climate change resiliency to Timor-Leste’s coral reefs, which help provide buffer against storms and serve as nurseries for locally-important fish benefiting human well-being in Timor Leste. With appropriate management, these resources hold significant potential for the food security and economic development of one of the world’s newest and least developed countries.

Secretary Goncalves, who invited CI scientists to return and complete the marine survey in areas not yet explored, said, ‘The Marine RAP was important as the information allows us to better understand our marine resources. ”

In response to the Timor-Leste Government’s plans for fostering tourism growth as a contribution to economic development, Erdmann also noted the great potential for marine tourism to work in synergy with improved protection and management efforts. ‘It is important to set clear regulations from the outset of such activities to ensure that local communities derive significant benefits from tourism in a way that encourages even better stewardship of their reefs’.

The ‘No Take Zones’ will be enforced through a co-management approach between local, district and national fisheries authorities, which are the result of the USAID-funded CTSP. The project has been supporting the Timor-Leste government and the fishing communities of Com, Tutuala and Lore to develop community-based marine management practices, centered on improved biological and ecological knowledge.

CI EDITOR’S NOTES:

Survey background:

As a result of the CI led Rapid Assessment survey, a list of fishes and corals was compiled for 22 sites around Timor-Leste during the period of 14-23 August 2012. The assessment involved approximately 250 hours of diving to a maximum of 70 meters. Prior to this, Timor-Leste had represented a gap in the knowledge of the Coral Triangle, the world’s premier area for marine biodiversity.

Funding for the survey was provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of the $32 million Coral Triangle Support Partnership (CTSP). CTSP supports the governments of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste in their regional commitment to ensuring the world's most precious marine resources are sustained well into the future. The Partnership is made up of a unique consortium of the world's leading conservation NGOs, including Conservation International.

Timor-Leste: Timor-Leste is located at the heart of the Coral Triangle, a region in the Asia-Pacific that holds the highest diversity of marine life in the world. Spanning across six countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New-Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste), the ecosystems in this region support the lives of over 340 million people.   END

 ...THIS SCENARIO MUST BE KEPT AS IT IS. THERE IS SO MUCH LIFE BELOW THE SEA WATER LEVEL...

Rapid Assessment Program

Yeah! What I have been claiming for over a year has been released!!
A consistent video report about the sea richness of Timor-Leste.
Data, images, analyzes and comments pretty solid!
Definitely worth watching!
Short though useful.

Production: Conservation International
Length: 11:04

Meeting on Natural Disaster Management

On Tuesday 15 January 2013 the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MSS) organized an inter-ministerial meeting in Caicoli with the participation of national and international NGOs and the civil society. The objective of the meeting was to prepare measures aimed at acting on, and preventing, natural disasters during torrential rains.

The Vice Minister for Social Solidarity, Jacinto Rigoberto de Deus, stated that “torrential rains, a consequence of climate change, adversely affect the well-being of many families, which is why the Ministry of Social Solidarity convened this inter-ministerial meeting with the participation of all Ministries, the Civil Society and NGOs, assigning to each stakeholder its role to play in case of a natural disaster.

The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Environment (MCIA), António da Conceição, added that “natural disasters presuppose a shared responsibility, and that the responsibility for the environment falls under the purview of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment. Thus, MCIA takes part in this meeting so as to contribute with its efforts and to correspond to the demands posed by natural disasters, intervening through the provision of humanitarian aid. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment cannot act alone in responding to the demands posed by such situations; it needs to cooperate with the Ministry of Social Solidarity and has already extended its support by distributing rice to affected communities. MCIA has also been looking for adequate alternative ways of providing assistance to the services of the Ministry of Social Solidarity”.

“Measures of prevention and of support to communities for the preparation of their environment adaptation plan, information on the measures to be taken in the face of natural disasters such as immediate evacuation, reserve of food products”, the Minister added.

The Viqueque District Administrator, Francisco da Silva, underscored the importance of the meeting and commended the coordination services between the Ministry of Social Solidarity and the local authorities through the focal-points in the districts and sub-districts. He also suggested the need to facilitate the budget at the local level so that care services for victims of natural disasters can be mobilized.

SOURCE: TL Gov

U.S. and Timor-Leste Naval Forces Build Maritime Partnerships

PORT HERA NAVY BASE, Timor-Leste (NNS) - The U.S. Navy and Timorese Navy commenced the first Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Timor-Leste exercise Jan. 25, with an opening ceremony held at Port Hera Navy Base.

U.S. Ambassador Judith Fergin and Col. Falur Rate Laek, Chief of Staff of the Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL), officiated the ceremony.

Fergin reaffirmed U.S. support for Timor-Leste's efforts to consolidate peace and security gains, noting the exercise enhanced mutual cooperation.

"The contributions that the participants in Exercise CARAT will make this week will strengthen the foundations of cooperation between our two countries for years to come," said Fergin.

In his opening remarks, Laek noted that the upcoming exercises build a stronger relationship between Timor-Leste and U.S. naval forces.

"The partnership between the Timor-Leste and U.S. Navy and Marines is not a new one. These Naval and Marine exercises between Timor-Leste and United States help to will ensure peace, build experience, and strengthen the permanent partnership between Timor-Leste and the United States," said Laek.

Over the next four days, Marines from U.S. Fleet Antiterrorism and Security Team (FAST), Pacific, will conduct hands on skill transfers and combat fundamentals with their F-FDTL counterparts.

In addition to FAST, Coast Guardsmen from the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Training Branch homeported in Yorktown, Va., and Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, homported in Port Hueneme, Calif., will conduct subject matter expert exchanges with the F-FDTL Navy on several F-FDTL ships. Coast Guardsmen will hold training on engineering, navigation, seamanship and damage control, while the Seabees will conduct medical, mechanical and electrical classroom courses.

Representing U.S. forces, Lt. Cmdr. Jennie Stone, CARAT Liaison Officer, Logistics Group Western Pacific, noted these exchanges allowed maritime professionals to share best practices and build partnerships.

"Our partners in the F-FDTL are skilled professionals, and this exercise helps increase interoperability between our forces, while at the same time building personal and professional relationships. This ongoing development becomes critical should future events call for our forces to work side-by-side," said Stone.

CARAT is a series of annual, bilateral maritime exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.


SOURCE: US Navy

China and Timor together to the fishery

*China to help professionalize Timorese in the field of fishery

The Government of China has pledged to help provide capacity building for Timorese to increase their skills and knowledge in the field of fishery.

State Secretary for Fishery, Rafael Gonsalves made the comments after meeting with Chinese ambassador to Timor-Leste yesterday in Dili.

"They are ready to help provide capacity building for the Timorese in very specific area, namely fishery. But in our recommendations it will more focus on laboratory. We have set up our laboratory, but from now we should prepare human resources", he said.

Mr. Gonsalves affirmed that, the Government would send eight officers to take part in the training on how to control quality of fishery.    

SOURCE: ETAN

Weather Check!

Woho! A pretty important tool has been installed in Atauro Island and now is working.
The Aussie NGO Seeds of Life leads several projects in Timor-Leste and one of them is about collecting weather information.
They have set up a machine that collect, process and release online the weather data from Atauro. The updates happen each 30 min, so we can have a full description of the Atauro's weather immediatly.
Seeds of Life is about to instal a second machine in Oecusse, but it is still under tests.
To know more about the project, click here
To see the weather performance in Atauro, click here.... Suggestion: Very worth checking it out!!

Ramos Horta talking about the environment

This is the first post of the year. Interesting video where Ramos-Horta speaks about the Australian NGO WithOneSeed. Cool Horta's reading about the Timorese environment.
                                                                    
                                                                      

WithOneSeed Patron – Jose Ramos Horta from WithOneSeed on Vimeo.