An institutional analysis of sasi laut in Maluku, Indonesia

that, unlike the sasi area of Nolloth, the Ihamahu area had no “signs” of top shells. He also said
that this unprotected sasi area was subject to poaching by people from the Ouw village.

Table 9.6. Results of 5-minute searches by experienced harvesters (Ulis and Julius Tutawarima) at various
sites inside and immediately to the south of the Nolloth sasi area. Habitat type: mixed rocks, coral
clumps and sandy patches.

9.3.2 Ambon Island sites

According to local informants, top shells and sea cucumbers had been harvested from the
waters of Hutumuri and Seri over many years by Butonese and Madurese traders, but there
has been no harvest in recent years because stocks have been depleted. We performed very
careful transect searches in both areas and failed to find a single specimen of either inside the
transects (Table 9.7). One sea cucumber was seen outside of the sample area. Both depth and
habitat were comparable to those at the Saparua Island sites.

9.4 Butterfly Fish Counts in Sasi and Non-Sasi Areas

Butterfly fish, being obligate coral feeders with varied food preferences, are often most diverse
where corals are similarly so. Approximately, 50 species of butterfly fish are believed to inhabit
eastern Indonesia. Half-hour surveys of butterfly fish in seven different sites provided species
counts ranging from 8 to 18 per site (Table 9.8). These counts were performed over the best
coral cover available in each marine village territory.

Unpublished research conducted in Biak, Irian Jaya (I. Novaczek, pers. comm.), using the same
method and personnel, suggests that counts of 12-18 are common, whereas counts over 20
usually are obtained only in very rich coral habitats. Counts under 10 are usually found
where there has been extensive damage to the reef. In this case, the lower counts were all in
sasi villages. In each case, there was evidence of blast fishing, with the most extensive damage
being evident in Sameth, the site with the lowest number of butterfly fish.

92 An Institutional Analysis of Sasi Laut in Maluku, Indonesia

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