Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) Timor-Leste is part of the global SOA network, empowering young leaders to drive innovation and solutions for ocean sustainability. We focus on marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and community-based initiatives that protect Timor-Leste’s rich marine biodiversity. Through programs, partnerships, and youth engagement, we aim to build a resilient blue economy while fostering environmental awareness and leadership among the next generation.
The Sustainable Ocean Alliance Timor-Leste is a community of youths, To gather young leader, advocates, divers, entrepreneurs, mentors and partners to share, learn and take action to protect our ocean (Life Below Water)
Make an Abundant, Wealthy, Valuable and Infinite Marine Life
- To gather young leader, advocates, divers, entrepreneurs, mentors and partners to share, learn and take action to protect our ocean (Life Below Water)
- Reduce marine pollution
- Protect and Preserve/Conserve life below water by promoting local hero and giving rights for ocean life
- Promote circular blue economy
- Build networking among relevant stakeholders to create impact for a healthy ocean / marine environment
- Live in Coastal Area and Underwaters
- Local Coastal Communities (Fishers & Gleaners)
- Community that relies on marine resource for livelihood
Board Team – Hub Leaders
Get to know more about our Team
Delio da Costa
Hub Leader & CoordinatorGraduated from Jakarta Fisheries University with a major in Aquatic Resource Management, and holds a Double Master’s Degree in Environmental Science from Diponegoro University and International Global Fisheries Sciences from Pukyong National University, South Korea. Formerly served as a Technical Investigator for the Fisheries and Marine Science sector at the National Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture. An Invited lecturer in the Department of Fisheries and Marine Science at Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e and currently working on the SOMACORE Project with Conservation International Timor-Leste. Specializes in Fisheries Biology, Marine Conservation, and Fish Pathology.
Dircia Sarmento Belo
Hub Leader & Vice-CoordinatorI am a graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management and Planning. Currently I work with UNDP Timor-Leste as an Environmental and Solid Waste Management consultant under recycling and youth actions projects. My role is to provide technical and advisory supports in the area of awareness and behavior change activities. I also support youths in areas of leadership, innovation, youth voices, and opportunities at one of the youth hubs in Dili. Besides, I am the vice-coordinator of a Timorese Youths Initiative For Development (TYIFD) youth group, where we work voluntarily to provide series of mentoring, lead environmental awareness activities, provide business networking event and leadership development program. As a young leader, my desire is to work together with fellow youths to promote awareness-raising campaigns and behavioral change to increase sustainable practices across the country.
Nelson Amaral
Hub Leader & Program Manager
Graduated in Fisheries Science from Tual State Fisheries Polytechnic in Southeast Maluku, Indonesia, with a specialization in marine biology, ecology, fisheries management and data, ecosystem restoration, GIS and ICT in fisheries. He bring over five years of experience with a proven track record in project design and management, fisheries program management, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), as well as marine conservation, research, and data analysis using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
He is working full time at Blue Venture Timor-Leste as M&E Coordinator since 2021, and now as Fisheries Program Manager.
Driven by a passion for supporting coastal communities and small-scale fisheries in Timor-Leste, He is dedicated to leveraging my expertise, experience, and innovative solutions to promote sustainable fisheries, enhance the resilience and well-being of coastal communities, and foster a thriving blue economy for future generations.
Junior Gama Pinto
Hub Leader & Program CoordinatorJunior Gama Pinto is a finalist student of Fisheries and Marine Science for the undergraduate and a young Timorese diver who is a potential youth leader for the ocean safeguard, through organizing many ocean related activities, in order to guarantee a healthy ocean and people. Now, he is a programmer in the youth group of Youth For Blue Action Development Initiative (YFBADI) with the first mission in Nile Tilapia framing
Our Team
Get to know more about our Team
João Ratão Magno
Project Coordinator
Clelio I. G. Xavier
Project Assistance
Cliverson Maher
Technical Assistance
Alexandre Luis Pereira
Field Technical Team
Estevão Luis da Costa
Field Technical Team
Avio Lucas
Field Technical Team
Airos Benevides da Cruz
Field Technical Team
Joanico Corte Real
Field Technical Team
Jakeu Soares
Field Technical Team
Rogerio Babo
Field Technical Team
Otelio Nunes
Field Technical Team
Abilio Duro-Loe
Field Technical Team
Armenia L. de J. M. F. Gaio
Emergency Safety Team
Clementina F. A. Gusmão
Emergency Safety Team
Baquita Serrão
Emergency Safety Team
Marta Pereira do Rego
Finance Team
Alcina Amaral
Finance Team
Carolin de Angel B. Abilio
Administrative Team
Melgia Q. Henriquesa
Administrative Team
Leticia Lay Soriano
Administrative Team
Inacio Moreira
Finance Team
Frederico Emanuel de C. Andrade
Administrative Team
Martinho da Costa
Administrative Team
Zelia H.V. Sarmento
Design Team
Jelson Qumarc
Design TeamOur Support Team
MJ Lamoste
SOA Southeast Asian Regional RepresentativeWomen Initiatives of Tagpi-Tagpi
Selcio Jera Soares
Advanve Adventure DiverSDI Dreamers Dive Academy
Deonisio Barreto Viana Rangel
SDI-Rescue DiverConservationist and Naturalist
Natalia da Silva
Advance DiverSOMACORE Project – Conservation International
Deonisio Matos
Open Water Diver & Marine Wildlife Operations OfficeWhale Watching
Lourenço Marto Tavares Pinto
SDI Open Water DiverFisheries and Marine Science Student