Untangling Tales of Tropical Sardines: Local Knowledge From Fisheries in Timor-Leste

Tropical sardines (Family Clupeidae) are an important component of many marine fisheries in the Indo-West Pacific region. In Timor-Leste, a small, less-developed country within this region, ‘sardiña’ some more commonly caught and consumed fish. Yet there is little published information from Timor-Leste about species composition these fisheries, nor their biology or ecology. We document knowledge Timorese fishers on nine locally distinguished sardine types that contribute to relate at least species: four ‘Flat-bodied Sardinellas’ ( Sardinella subg. Clupeonia spp.), one ‘Round-bodied Sardinella’ lemuru ), two ‘Tropical Pilchards’ Amblygaster spp.) Herring’ Herklotsichthys quadrimaculatus all Clupeidae family; Dussumieria Dussumieriidae family. record variations local names across aspects fishers’ relevant understanding managing including species’ seasonality, habitat, movements, interannual variation, as well post-harvest characteristics relation perishability. general, closely with groups than individual species, although also distinguish fish size species-groups. The identified study has immediate application inform monitoring management, identify areas for future research. Notably, recognize make use strong association between species-groups seasonally turbid river plumes. While further research required understand underlying mechanisms association, emphasizes need consider coastal fisher livelihood impacts when assessing any plans proposals may alter flow water quality. Fishers migratory behavior particular Flat bodied Sardinellas S. gibbosa others) along north-west coast border into Indonesian West Timor. Such insights complicate be accounted initiatives co-management community-based management Timor-Leste’s waters fisheries.