AMDI Partner Highlight: Ekipa Tasi Mos Atauro in Timor-Leste
Since 2016, the Ekipa Tasi Mos Atauro Marine Debris Program in Timor-Leste has contributed its excellent datasets to the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database.
With 208 clean-ups under their belt, this dedicated team has removed a staggering 142,246 pieces of marine debris weighing 2,620 kg! The biggest culprits? Hard plastic remnants and bottle caps/lids. The marine debris team has collected a massive total of 29,264 lids and bottle caps alone.Â
Our Tangaroa Blue Foundation Ambassador, Bernadette “Flea” Davis, works closely with the program.
“The quantity of marine debris coming onto Atauro Island is very dependent on the weather systems. During the easterly trade winds around the middle of the year, we see a huge jump in debris. Single-use sachet packets are a big problem at this time of year, as are small water/juice cups.”
Pictured: Volunteers sorting marine debris for the AMDI Database.
Raising Marine Debris Awareness
The project aims to raise awareness of the issues around marine debris as well as hosting regular clean-ups.
“There are many difficulties working in a developing country like Timor-Leste. In Australia, we can just turn a tap on for good quality drinking water and put our bins on the street for collection. Things aren’t that simple in Timor-Leste.”
Pictured: Volunteers on the island helping with a clean-up.
If you’re interested in learning more about Ekipa Tasi Mos Atauro or getting involved, you can find them on Facebook or Instagram.
“There are many ways to get involved. The best and most rewarding is to come and visit us! Atauro is a beautiful island with some of the world’s best snorkelling! The reefs are renowned for having the most diverse reef fish in the world. Seagrass meadows are home to dugongs, and every November, you can see blue whales. You can imagine how important it is to continue to remove and prevent marine debris.”
Marine Debris Knowledge Sharing on Timor-Leste
Tangaroa Blue Foundation provides clean-up monitoring training to AMDI Network partners like Ekipa Tasi Mos Atauro to help improve understanding of marine debris across Australia and regional waters. Now, Ekipa Tasi Mos Atauro is helping others and has provided training to other Timor environmental groups like Clean and Green Timor-Leste and Blue Ventures.
“It’s not just the marine life that is exceptional. Atauro Island is home to some of the finest people you can meet. They are welcoming and so incredibly generous with their time. They are master fisherfolk, free divers, weavers, sculptors”. And now, AMDI monitoring experts!
Pictured: Volunteers and staff using the AMDI app to record marine debris data.
Pictured: Artwork and products made from marine debris
