fishers have always ventured far to sea in their small boats to catch skipjack, tuna and other
pelagic species. This reduces pressure on the sasi area and also decreases any incentive to
break sasi rules.
In the past (15-20 years ago and more), most fishers targeted reef fish within the village marine
territory, and fish were both abundant and cheap. However, with the introduction of nylon
gill nets, the area became too crowded with nets and fish were rapidly depleted. Fishers moved
increasingly into the pelagic fishery. In response, the village government instituted rules to
limit the use of gill nets on the inshore reef by imposing access fees. In this case, the rule was
developed outside of sasi and applied to the entire village territory.
There is a general agreement, especially among the village elders, that the depletion of the
reef fish stocks was caused by over-fishing. People are becoming more environmentally aware,
and sasi is said to be important for protection of natural resources. Even so, management in
the form of a closed area and regulated harvest is applied only to several sedentary species in
the sasi area.
For the pelagic fishery, the village government follows the general policy set out by the national
government, which is to try and further expand the fishery (Budiman 1982 and Hannig 1988
in Mantjoro 1996). Nolloth fishers are involved in government programs that supply
motorboats and larger nets with fine meshes. Although the village government sees the need
to address the decline in the fishery, regulations limiting the number of fishers or types of
gears allowed are not part of the strategy. The importance of fish as a primary source of
income and food impels the village government to opt for intensification instead of
management. The results (higher yields) are “promising”. At a meeting, the village officials
explained: “It has already become better since they became motorized and can go further to
get the fish.” It is thus clear that compliance within a limited area - whether communal or
private property - is easy when there is a state-governed open-access area where fishers have
unlimited access.
10.8 Outcomes
10.8.1 Equity
1. The role of fishers in management
The role of fishers in management is seen as having improved compared to the past, but is
expected to remain stable in the future (Table 10.5). Some fishers mentioned education as
enabling them to partake in discussions. However, the hierarchical structure in the village
keeps fishers from direct involvement in decision-making and this is not likely to change in
the near future. Compared to the other villages, Nolloth has the smallest proportion of fishers
(33.3%) who actually want to change the fisheries rules. The majority (56.7%) agree with the
current regime.
When asked about power-sharing, 60% of fishers thought the government had most or total
responsibility for fisheries management, 33% thought the people shared responsibility equally
with the government, and the remaining 7% felt the community had more responsibility.
Desa Nolloth, Saparua Island 115