Atauro Island’s thousands of reefs are home to 643 species with an average of 253 reef fish species per site according to Conservation International.
The island is a wonderful island paradise, largely unspoiled by large scale tourism, you won’t find crowded beaches here but you will find exceptional marine life and some of the biggest smiles in Asia. It’s a small island, approximately 14 miles long and around 10,000 people call it home. Atauro lies in the center of the Wetar Strait, which has a warm current passing between the Pacific and Indian oceans. This current not only brings lots of nutrients with it, but also many species of dolphins and whales.
642 species of reef fish
300+ species in several individual locations
These vibrant waters also make Atauro home to some of the most vibrant reefs in the Coral Triangle. In 2016, Conservation International conducted a study of marine life and discovered on average 253 species of reef fish per unique site, the highest number found of any location on the planet.
Thanks to such a diverse reef ecosystem, ecotourism is growing fast on Atauro and more and more visitors are making the journey to these pristine waters to enjoy the incredible coral gardens, reef structures and marine life.
9000 inhabitants call Atauro home
10% of reef species not yet described scientifically
28% cover of living hard coral species
Atauro Gallery
About the Project
Ekipa Tasi Mos
Founded with a mission to remove and record plastic pollution from the marine environment that surround the waters of Atauro, Timor-Leste. To assist the community in reducing their use of single-use plastics, to build a community recycling plant to process some of the marine debris and to enhance the locally managed marine areas.
From May 2016 regular beach cleanups were established by volunteers and staff from Barry’s Place Eco Lodge and Blue Ventures. This information is then recorded onto the AMDI database. Recording marine debris findings, allows the community to trace the marine debris back to its original source and stop it the source.
Project Objectives
Build awareness of the need to care for the environment in the local community, especially with plastic waste management.
Collect, clean and sort marine debris washing up on shore of marine protested areas.
Trace plastic pollution back to its source
Pressure major distributors of plastic pollution to change their business practices
Process and upcycle plastic materials into products which can be used by local community as viable alternatives
Encourage local people to bring plastic waste into recycling center
Current Situation
1
Construction has been completed at the Green House and equipment for processing recycled plastics into reusable materials have arrived. Work has just begun with new machinery to upcycle collected plastics into materials for house building among others.
2
Change.org petition is active now live and pro active traceability campaign underway to stop plastic pollution at its source.
3
Ongoing awareness building of recycling and waste management in the local community.
Raja Ampat is an archipelago of around 1500 tiny islands spread over forty thousand square kilometres, a large number of which are uninhabited. and made up of about one thousand five hundred tiny islands, many of which are uninhabited. It is becoming a popular ecotourism destination because of the beauty of its marine life and local culture.
Raja Ampat means “The Four Kings”, named after a local myth that tells a story of a kings that occupied four of Raja Ampat’s main islands—Batanta, Salawati, Waigeo and Misool.
1,711 species of coral reef fish
Raja Ampat is part of the Coral Triangle and with incredible scenery of jungle capped islands, fine white sandy beaches, lagoons, caves, arches and the most turquoise waters with stunning coral reefs and teeming with marine life, Raja Ampat is a precious island system which is reputed to restock reefs elsewhere in the Pacific and Indian oceans.
35 species of endemic reef fish found only here
57 species of Mantis Shrimp
5 species of endangered sea turtle
17 species of Marine Mammals
About the Project
Despite living in marine biodiversity hotspots, it’s surprising that many under 10’s can’t swim or aren’t aware of need for conservation in the very own back yard. We believe that by creating opportunity to explore the beauty in their environment, they will have a vested interest in protecting it and their story can educate us about the need for conservation.
Ecotourism to biodiversity hotspots around the world not only needs to be sustainable but it also needs to create local employment. We believe that by educating local adolescents up to certification level required to work as dive guide is an effective way to educate and provide employment in the local economy.
We aim to provide pairs of dive scholarships, certified by PADI, fully equipped and with extensive dive log for each scholarship, in select biodiversity hotspots. Participants will be selected from pool of candidates proposed by local school and community based on aptitude, swimming skills and basic English level.
Project Objectives
Build awareness of delicate balance of marine biodiversity in local schools
Educate kids about coral and its role as a life supporting ecosystem
By documenting this project we can inspire a better and more hopeful future that safeguards these marine habitats for future generations
Support swimming lessons for kids unable to swim in participating schools
Provide snorkel kit for participating school kids including mask, snorkel and fins.
Implement program of study with local dive operator for two scholarships for Open Water, Advanced, Rescue and Divemaster certification
Enable local guides to better educate visitors about local conservation efforts and participate in survey work
Current Situation
Fundraising has begun for this project. Check out our support page here
