An institutional analysis of sasi laut in Maluku, Indonesia

Infrastructure and development

The environment of Haruku is seriously affected by the mining operations executed by Ingold
and Indometal in collaboration with an Indonesian firm Aneka Tambang. Ingold and Indometal
are Canadian companies that are already promoting shares on the international market based
on the results of their explorations on Haruku and further prospecting on Ambon, Saparua
and Nusa Laut. Now that the preliminary drilling has been successful, the mining operations
will be extended with detrimental effects for the environment and the village society. Already,
the intervention has led to political conflicts and soon there will be severe conflicts over land.
There will be infrastructure changes since the government is planning to provide finances for
road construction and public toilets at the end of 1997.

On the other hand, the operations will be beneficial in terms of job opportunities for laborers
and construction companies. The need for increased economic activities has been aggravated
by the current currency crisis in Indonesia.

11.6 Incentives to Cooperate

The keys to resource management are enforcement of, and compliance with, fisheries rules
and regulations. However, various contextual variables affect an individual’s inclination to
participate in, and be governed by, sasi.

Tradition

Tradition and adat are kept very much alive by the active elders. Sasi is an intrinsic part of the
Haruku culture and automatically, people have great respect for sasi regulations.

Status

Haruku has a history of resource management. Their sasi system on lompa fish is unique in
the region and widely appreciated. In 1982, Haruku obtained an environmental award from
President Suharto. In 1986, the Minister of Environment, Emil Salim, came to Haruku
personally to open sasi. These highly appreciated visits have stimulated the people of Haruku
enormously in their willingness to comply to sasi rules.

Economic benefits

People have direct benefits from marine sasi and sasi lompa. The catches are divided fairly
amongst the villagers and the opening of sasi is a feast. This is a strong incentive for people to
respect sasi regulations.

Destructive fishing methods are used by a small part of the population, mainly immigrants,
who have no entitlement to land, and derive little benefit from resource management. This is
their incentive to non-comply. The use of destructive techniques and intensification of the
fishery are, in general, aggravated by the current economic crisis in the country.

Sanctions

The kewang members take a tremendous pride in their position. Their commitment to manage
the resources and enforce the rules is very strong. The vigorous enforcement is a strong

134 An Institutional Analysis of Sasi Laut in Maluku, Indonesia

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