Manatuto

Profile

Geographic, Demographic Socioeconomic:


Land area (km²)	1,782 km²
Sea area (km²)
Coastline (km)	62 km (northern coast); 30 km (southern coast)
Major river systems (names)	Laklo River, Laleia River and Sumasse River
Total number of coastal cities/municipalities	6 subdistricts 4 Coastal: Barique, Laclo, Laleia and Manatuto 2 Non-coastal: Laclubar and Soibada
Population (latest census)	45,541 (2015)
Population growth rate (latest census)	2.1% (2015)
Male/Female ratio (latest census)	Male: 22,967; Female: 22,574 (2015) 1 (Ratio: 1.0174)
Average annual household income (latest census)
Sectoral employment (percentage of total employment; latest census) Agriculture/fisheries Industry Services	Main economic activity for the population aged ten years and over 2015 Total Manatuto 10,750 Male 5,429 Female 5,321 Employed Manatuto 4,103 Male 2,641 Female 1,462 Unemployed Manatuto 323 Male 231 Female 92 Economically Inactive Manatuto 6,324 Male 2,557 Female 3,767  73.3% agriculture sector (including fisheries);  1% in manufacturing;  7.3% in public administration, policy and the army;  3.6% in the education sector;  3.9% in accommodations and restaurants;  3.49% in trading and sales; and  2% in construction.

Ecological/Environmental:


Key Marine Habitats (Mangrove, Coral, Seagrass, etc.) (Areal coverage/habitat)	Based on the mapping of coastal and marine habitats in the North Coast of Timor Leste, key marine habitats such as mangroves, coral reefs and sea grass were mapped in Manatuto (but areal coverage was reported in total for all sites covered in the north coast)
Coastal and Marine Protected Areas (Number of MPAs and total areal coverage)	Lamsana Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) - The Lamsana LMMA area covers around 12 hectares, in which around 2 hectares have been damaged by local communities due to mangrove cutting for house and canoes construction.
Coastal fisheries (species/levels)	144 marine fish species in 38 families, with 18 pelagic species and 10 deep-sea species. The important commodities are tunas, mackerels and snappers.The level of fisheries utilization is underexploited.
Threatened or endangered species (protected species)	Whales, dolphins, sea turtles

Threats and Hazards to sustainable development of marine and coastal areas and ecosystems:


Climate variation and change	Manatuto is frequently affected by many natural and climate change hazards, for example, floods, inundation and drought. Flash flooding, inundation/sea level rise and drought are more pronounced on the northern coast
Other natural threats and hazards	Landslides
Other climate/man-made hazards	Fire Fires and landslides are manifested on the middle (mountains) of the Municipality with very high risk and magnitude.
Man-made threats and hazards	Pollution from solid waste. Currently there is no system for waste management. People also have low awareness on proper waste management and disposal.

Status of ICM Implementation

ICM Coverage and Governance Indicators:


	ONGOING DEV'T	IN PLACE	SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION/ REMARKS
ICM Coordinating Mechanism		X	An ICM Task Team was established consisting of members from different government agencies supported by a scientific advisory body from local Universities (UNITAL and UNTL). The Task Team is led directly by the Head of the Municipality and day-to-day work is exercised by a Task Team Coordinator.
ICM Project/Program Office		X	The office space is already established to support ICM activities. However, the office is not equipped with appropriate tools and equipment such as computers, printer, paper and internet.
Stakeholder Participation		X	Key agencies working in the marine and coastal areas are represented in the ICM Task Team. Many NGOs (both local and International) as well as from Academe are currently cooperating with local authorities and local communities to disseminate and socialize environment and natural resources information. At the same time they also encourage all communities to actively engage in the development process and also act as a focal point to manage their environment and natural resources. Dissemination of information is more focused on climate change impacts on coastal biodiversity such as sea level rise/inundation, erosion, drought and floods, mangrove rehabilitation and marine and coastal resources conservation.
Coastal Strategy/Implementation Plan	X		The local government has developed a coastal strategic plan for a pilot area (Maabat) in 2013. This action plan covers building concrete wall to reduce sea level rise/inundation and coastal erosion. Localization of small canoes of local fishermen, green belt establishment and livelihoods programs such as fish processing on post-harvest are being exercised together with ICM program. Coastal Strategy development for the municipality has been initiated.
ICM Work Plan, Budget & Financing and Human Resources Committed	X		With the current government system (decentralized system is still being tested), the local government has limited funds, and need to rely on funds from national agencies for related work and from the ICM project.
M&E Mechanism (including SOC Reporting)	X		Draft SOC report currently undergoing review and revision

ICM Management Processes:


	NOT YET IN PLACE	ONGOING DEV'T	IN PLACE	SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION/ REMARKS
Management Plan(s)* (e.g., CCA/DRR; habitat protection, restoration and management; water use/supply management; food security and livelihood management; pollution reduction and waste management; etc.) *at least 2 required for ICM Code Level 1 certification				Government planning is still centralized. Management plans are prepared by relevant national agencies in consultation with local areas.
Tools applied at the ICM site (e.g., zoning/MSP; MPAs, EAFM, IRBM, others)			X	MPA (LMMA at Lamsana)

Areal Extent, Health and Resiliency of Coastal and Marine Habitats:


	ONGOING DEV'T	IN PLACE	SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION/ REMARKS
			Pilot site: Suco (Village) Maabat Target: Enhanced protection and rehabilitation of mangrove and associated ecosystems in 20 ha in Manatuto
Scoping (including areal extent of coastal and marine habitats)		X	In Suco Maabat, there is a locally-managed marine area (LMMA) in Lamsana Bay covering 12 hectares that is covered under a traditional law called Tara Bandu. The Tara Bandu is implemented by the suco’s Lia Nain (traditional leader) in close cooperation with Maabat village’s district leaders. Permission to access the LMMA and its resources is granted by the Lia Nain who has the same level of authority as the suco’s political leader. The boundary is marked by two large rocks situated at both ends of the LMMA’s coast. Conservation International’s Marine Rapid Assessment in 2012 included sites in the eastern and western part of the Lamsana inlet, and has the following results: - Lamsana Inlet East site description: Silted fringing coastal reef (near mangrove-lined river outlet) with wide (75 m) intertidal reef flat with gradual slope; 10-15% live coral cover from 2 m down to about 20 m, where reef levelled off and cover increased to about 30%. Reef eventually sloped down again tapered into sand at 25 m, though with scattered coral outcrops down to 45 m. No large fish observed. Numerous Crown of Thorns (COTS) Starfish observed in shallows - Lamsana Inlet West site description: As with previous site, highly sediment-covered fringing coastal reef with lots of sponges and filter feeding organisms. Wide intertidal reef flat, then relatively gradual reef slope from 2-10 m with approximately 20% live coral cover and large stretches of sand. Reef slope increasingly steep from 10-40 m with scattered reef outcrops and mostly sponges, at most 10% live coral cover. One green turtle and numerous COTS observed in shallows. The coastal vegetation in the area included young and old mangrove trees and non-mangrove species. There are at least 5 species of mangroves growing in the site with Sonneratia spp as the dominant species in Maabat/Lamsana Bay. There is no data yet on the areal extent of mangroves or coastal vegetation in the area.
Areal extent of damaged/degraded habitats	X		Conservation International’s Marine Rapid Assessment in 2012 has the following results for the sites in the eastern and western part of the Lamsana inlet: - Many of the coastal reef areas closer to Dili (particularly Hera and Lamsana) are showing strong signs of sedimentation stress from erosion within the hinterlands - Silty bays and harbors (e.g. site 18 at the Lamsana inlet or Manatuto River outlet) also had impoverished fish population, although several species were unique to this environment. Around 2 hectares of mangrove area have been damaged by local communities due to mangrove cutting for house and boat construction. Fishers from outside Maabat Village also infringe on the area without regard for the existing Tara Bandu.
Areal extent of healthy and resilient habitats	X		Conservation International’s Marine Rapid Assessment in 2012 has the following results for sites in the eastern and western part of the Lamsana inlet: - Several marine species known to be unique to areas outside of Timor-Leste were found in the sites - Reefs of Lamsana Inlet E, one of the more sheltered locations, also scored highly in the rarity index (which rated stations in respect of the occurrence of species otherwise rare in the Timor-Leste data set), indicating locally unusual coral composition and abundance
Proposals/Action plans to restore damaged/degraded habitats	X		Ongoing and proposed strategies were identified by the stakeholders during the focus group meeting to address the habitat management issues, see Annex 2 (table on Natural Resources and Habitat Management Strategies)
Restoration program(s)		X	The LMMA in Lamsana Bay is being implemented by the Suco government in collaboration with the village elder, with the support of fisheries and environmental officers and some local NGOs. The site visit in November 2017 generated the following suggestions to improve the LMMA management: - Clarify the LMMA management structure, including roles and delegation of authority - Socialize the Tara Bandu implementation in the LMMA and enhance public knowledge especially by locals outside of the village - Improve the marker of the LMMA border - Develop monitoring mechanisms and infrastructures, such as a light house with rotating volunteer guards - Mangrove reforestation - Develop alternative sources of livelihood for local people
Benefits (social, economic, ecological) - Addressing/reducing CCA/DRR risks - Harmonizing access to marine space by established economic sectors - Assessing costs and benefits to clearly understand socio-economic and ecological trade-offs - Extending governance principles to be more inclusive to weaker disadvantaged sector, addressing issues of tenure and use-based access rights			The traditional law (Tara Bandu) imposed over the Lamsana LMMA is strictly abided by the citizens of Maabat, in honor and respect of the Lia Nain. Local fishermen can only catch outside of the conservation area’s boundary, which is marked by two stones. Contributing to the local’s compliance to the Tara Bandu is their understanding of the benefits of the Lamsana LMMA and the importance of its protection and conservation, particularly in its contribution to fisheries.

Fisheries Management:


	NOT YET IN PLACE	ONGOING DEV'T	IN PLACE	SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION/ REMARKS
				Pilot site: Suco Maabat Targets: - Sustainable fisheries management plan developed, adopted and initiated - At least 10% of fisher /agricultural households in priority sites benefiting from sustainable alternative livelihood programs - At least 25% increase in household income in fishers’ households sustaining functional alternative livelihood programs
Scoping (including areal extent of threatened fishing grounds covered by ICM/EAFM management plans)		X		Manatuto has around 364 fishermen, using different equipment for fishing, while, in Maabat Village itself, total fishermen is around 15. No data available on areal extent of threatened fishing ground.
Baseline conditions for CPUE for important fish species (threats, risks, or vulnerability assessments of fishing ground; governance and socio-economic conditions)			X	Data on Fisheries in Manatuto is covered in the Timor Leste Baseline Assessment Report (Fish capture by species (2015)), as seen in the table on fish species most dominantly captured during 2015 is in Annex 3.
EAFM or similar management plan			X	The implementation of programs for fisheries in Manatuto now is under local government. The central government just handed-over power to local authority as part of decentralization system. However, local government is still adopting national plans and strategies at the local level. The strategic plans are set out below. 1. Timor-Leste National Aquaculture Development Strategy 2012-2030 2. Timor-Leste National Aquaculture Development Strategy Implementation Plan (2014-2018) 3. Decree laws and Ministerial diploma on marine and coastal resources 4. Programs, project on food security including fisheries and livelihood management (2005-2010) 5. Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 A proposal/plan for improving fisheries management in Maabat village/Manatuto will be developed as part of the ICM program.
Evidence of measured increase in CPUE of 10% over baseline condition for important fish species using ICM/EAFM approach	X
Socio-economic and ecological impacts and benefits derived from ICM/EAFM implementation (DSS models e.g., FISH DA, TURF)	X
Socio-economic assessment of fishing households			X	The fishermen in Maabat village are not full-time fishermen, as most people engage in agriculture and livestock as well. The fishermen go out to fish on an average of four times a week, generating a relatively low fish production at 2-7 kg per trip. They sell the 2-5 kg while the remaining is used for domestic consumption. Annex 3 shows the equipment used for fishing in Maabat village. The consumers come directly to the beach to buy the fish; the fishermen prefer to sell their products on the beach than bring to fish landing center that was prepared by local government. The main reason being that the landing center does not have water and electricity and is too far away from the buyers. As discussed and agreed among local leaders, communities and local government during the data validation, the local government will allocate some budgets to provide water and improve access and support the operations of the fish landing center. Agriculture activities in Maabat is mostly rice farming, generating approximately 100 to 500 kg per household each harvest. Livestock rearing (chicken, goat, pigs, buffalos) is common in most households, with around 5-10 heads of livestock per household. Household income per day is less than $2.00, with average income of $3,271/year (maximum -$5,566; minimum - $1,662). Households depend heavily on natural resources for their livelihood. It is difficult to diversify their economy optimally due to lack of skills and opportunities. All households in Maabat have access to electricity, tap water and sanitation facilities. Only 5 households in Maabat are using ground water. 90% of people in Manatuto have attended primary to Sensio high school. There is concrete/asphalt road access to Maabat village. There are also health facilities/centers. However, waterways/canals need to be improved to avoid flooding during rainy season.
Livelihood development and implementation opportunities		X		Aquaculture development is promising both marine and brackish-water aquaculture. In Manatuto Municipality the potential aquaculture is sea cucumber, seaweeds and milkfish. During the site visit to Maabat in November 2017, the following potential projects were identified to address livelihood development in the site: - Improvement of the fish landing center which was relocated from the commercial center of the suco to an area near Lamsana LMMA. The previous location was marked by strong waves thus a sea wall was constructed and other concrete barriers were installed in the beach, leaving the fishermen with no area to park their boats. The new location near the Lamsana LMMA is far from the commercial center, and also has limited protection for the boats, rendering it unused. - Revive the milkfish cultivation efforts by reestablishing the leading group
Market assessment/sustainability analysis of alternative livelihoods	X
Pilot project proposal/action plan for livelihood development		X		To be developed as part of the ICM program. From the baseline assessment, institutional strengthening and technology transfer/capacity building to improve income generation from agriculture, livestock, fisheries and fish farming is important, including provision of equipment and training on their appropriate use.
Evidence of improvements in socio-economic conditions in fisher households	X
Case studies and policy briefs for scaling up and replication	X

Photos

Timor-Leste

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