An institutional analysis of sasi laut in Maluku, Indonesia

Sasi is applied to an approximately 2.5 km long area at the southeastern end of Nolloth’s
marine territory. This sasi area is actively guarded to protect the top shells (Trochus niloticus)
and sea cucumbers (various species). It has a good coral cover on a hard bottom that is
interspersed with sandy patches. Tinauw, the area reputed to be the richest in top shells, has
a mixed coral, sand and rock bottom, including one stretch of 51-75% hard coral cover (see
Figure 10.1). Reef fish are common. There is not much rubble but bomb craters were detected,
mostly in the very southern area. This southern reach borders a stretch of just a few hundred
meters claimed by Ihamahu. Ihamahu’s area is regulated under sasi but not actively policed
and, therefore, extensively damaged by blast fishing.

Table 9.2. Average condition of carol reefs in village territories on the northeastern shore of Sapurua
Island.

9.2.2 Haruku Island sites

The villages of Haruku and Sameth jointly administer marine sasi. The sasi area is inside Haruku’s
territory and is mostly sea grass rather than corals. However, the kewang of Haruku attempts to
protect the small patches of coral reefs in front of both villages. The survey was started at the northern
edge of the marine village territory of Sameth (see Figure 11.1 for map). Where there was a hard
bottom suitable for corals, there were also bomb craters and a great amount of dead corals and
rubble (Table 9.3). In Sameth, where the total living cover sometimes exceeded 50%, soft corals
were more abundant than hard corals. Few fish of any sort were seen with the exception of parrot
fish. After completing seven tows over mixed sand and patchy corals, we reached a continuous
sandy bottom and discontinued the survey. Tows were begun again in front of the Sameth graveyard
and continued to the southern edge of the Learisa Kayeli River in Haruku. In this area, which is
part of the sasi area, we found that the coral reef had been heavily damaged by sedimentation,
which kewang members blamed on erosion stemming from mine exploration in the upper watershed.

Table 9.3. Survey data from marine territories of Haruku and Sameth. Numbers refer to coral cover
categories, i.e., 0-=no hard bottom for corals, 1=≤10% cover on hard bottom, 2=11-30%, 3=31-50%, 4=51-
75%, 5=76-100%. Abundance indicators: 0=absent, --=rare, -=uncommon, ++=abundant,
+++=superabundant.

Impact of Sasi on Inshore Fisheries Resource and Habitat in Central Maluku 89

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