'Custodians of the Sea'

Our Mission

Tahi Opu uses a suite of monitoring techniques to help stop illegal fishing, increase ocean protection, regulate marine tourism and track marine debris.

Our programmes across the globe allow us to support government, communities and fellow NGOs to increase compliance, strengthen governance and embolden enforcement.

Despite developments in technology and in action, illegal and unsustainable fishing are still huge issues, accounting for $10-20 billion and $80 billion of annual losses respectively.

Over the last 20 years many marine protected areas have been created, but there is a large variation in levels of MPA effectiveness, leading to so-called 'Paper Parks' with hardly any protection at all.

Marine debris and unregulated marine tourism are significant stressors to the ocean ecosystem.

By using the most effective documenting, monitoring, surveillance, and guardianship tools, Tahi Opu aims to help bring back vital, healthy and productive oceans for all.

Our Projects

Timor-Leste - Monitoring & Capacity Building

Drone surveillance, ranger training and MPA development in the heart of the coral triangle.

Spain - Regulations & Restoration

Restoring grouper and octopus populations along the south-eastern Mediterranean coast of Spain.

Paper Parks - Why Some Protection Failed

Investigating the best and worst practices of Marine Protected areas, and how they can be improved.

Blu Hope Productions

Capturing great content is a key to our approach. All Tahi Opu content is distributed through Blu Hope TV.

Based in Timor-Leste

Our main office is located on the island of Atauro