Category: Timor-Leste

Witnessing the unknown: coral spawning in Timor-Leste

Our Timor-Leste volunteers stumble upon one of nature’s most mysterious reproductive events.

/ Apr 25, 2019

Taking control with Tara Bandu

The community of Behau in Timor-Leste has decided to take control of its marine resources by using customary law to establish a locally managed marine area.

/ Apr 4, 2019
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Becoming a Divemaster

Marine conservation volunteer Aleksander Gakovic shares the personal journey of his time in Timor-Leste.

/ Feb 28, 2019

Amos and Mima: the journey to Divemaster

Blue Ventures’ Dive and Science Assistants in Timor-Leste have achieved PADI Divemaster certification and are now inspiring locally led conservation efforts in their communities.

/ Jan 30, 2019
The CFM group | Photo: Jenny House

Using fisheries monitoring as a tool for empowering women in Timor-Leste

Community-based monitoring groups in Timor-Leste are collecting fisheries data and raising women's voices in discussions about marine resource management.

/ Oct 25, 2018

Fiar-an, La’o ba oin: the women of Ataúro Homestay Association are moving forward

A learning exchange with Agora Food Studio has led to a greater confidence and engagement in cooking for Ataúro Island’s homestay hosts.

/ Jun 28, 2018

Contributing to conservation in Timor-Leste: a day-in-the-life of one volunteer

Thinking of volunteering in Timor-Leste, but don't know what to expect? Recent volunteer Martin Cloix dives into the details of a day on Ataúro Island.

/ May 11, 2018

Welcome visitors! Families on Ataúro pioneer the island’s first homestay association

Homestays offer a unique cultural experience that is long-remembered by visitors, and that would be impossible to replicate in a hotel or guesthouse.

/ Mar 23, 2018
Monda and team conducting a survey | Photo: Christina Saylor

Collaborating to save seagrass: communities in Timor-Leste embrace a new opportunity for conservation

A community-based seagrass monitoring programme has been established to empower the residents of Ataúro Island to protect one of their most vital marine ecosystems.

/ Jan 17, 2018

Plastic in the oceans: a volunteer’s perspective

Timor-Leste volunteer Rebecca Loy reflects on what individuals can do about this global problem.

/ Jan 3, 2018
Pygmy Blue Whale

The whales are coming: cetacean surveys around Ataúro Island

Blue Ventures staff and volunteers join Karen Edyvane of the National University of Timor-Leste in her yearly quest to study the pygmy blue whale migration.

/ Dec 13, 2017
At the surface | Photo: Jen Craighill

A fisherman’s journey into deeper seas: scuba diving and conservation in Timor-Leste

Amos Da Costa's family has always relied on the sea for their food and livelihood, but he believes they must look to the future. He now helps to conserve Ataúro Island's marine environments as Blue Ventures' Dive and Science Assistant.

/ Nov 9, 2017
What is clear in our talks is the deep knowledge these fishermen have of Ataúro’s waters | Photo: Martin Muir

The crocodile’s children: community-led marine management on Atauro

The community of Ilik-namu have decided to take control of their future and begin managing their marine resources.

/ Oct 4, 2017

Sea Change: Ataúro’s first female scuba diver lends her voice to marine conservation efforts

Jemima Gomes was the first female scuba diver on Ataúro Island, and she is now advocating for marine conservation in her community.

/ Sep 20, 2017

Having a whale of a time in Timor-Leste

Volunteer Harrison Root describes his two favourite mornings from his marine conservation expedition on Ataúro Island.

/ Aug 31, 2017