This has led to social and political stress in the village. A split has developed between a group
that supports the mining operations because of the potential economic benefits, and a group
that is concerned with environmental destruction and the disregard of land ownership. The
village head leads the first group while the kewang typically supports the latter. A conflict
between the two groups will negatively affect sasi. The role of the kewang will weaken
dramatically and although the kewang is locally highly legitimate, its members may find they
are no longer in the position to enforce the sasi rules.
The adat rules do not deal with impacts of mining on small islands and the kewang is powerless
against the mining corporations. The activities of Ingold, Indometal and Aneka Tambang have
not only had a negative impact on the environment and people’s land and forest gardens. The
conflicts in the village have weakened the program that was developed to create environmental
awareness and organize the community in coastal management.
11.8 Outcomes
11.8.1 Equity
1. The role of fishers in management
The role of fishers in management is seen as having been the same in the past, but fishers
expect a little improvement. Education has made people “smarter” and their opinions are
more respected.
The fishers noted that a strong role for the village government and kewang is customary. It is
the leaders who make the decisions about the fishery (together with the lift net owners, as
one person noted). When asked about power-sharing, over half thought that the government
had most or total responsibility for fisheries management, while the rest thought the people
shared responsibility equally with the government. Although it was mentioned that people
trust that the decisions the leaders make are good for the village, some also said it would be
preferable to increase direct involvement of fishers so that not all the decisions are made by
the village government alone. Half of the fishers agreed that fisheries rules should be changed.
2. Access to marine resources
Access to marine resources is limited by the sasi rules. The fishers’ own access to resources is
seen to be significantly less now than in the past. The reasons for the decline are unclear.
Nearly half (40%) agreed that a fisher in need should be able to ask for and get harvesting
rights in a sasi area during the closed season. Only 10% of the fishers agreed with the sale of
resource harvest rights to outsiders.
3. Distribution of means of production
The distribution of the means of production is seen to be fairer now than in the past, but
further future improvements are not expected. The overall number of boats and gears has
increased and so have the fishing efforts as people have obtained more machinery. However,
declining yields, more pressure, and competition are having a negative effect on the equality
among fishers. Larger boat owners have more capital and are increasingly powerful.
136 An Institutional Analysis of Sasi Laut in Maluku, Indonesia