The former sasi area is a shallow stretch that runs west from the village to the point where the
river enters the bay. It runs along the shore from the low tide level to the high tide level i.e.,
the intertidal level. The 3 m deep area (at high tide) is a sea grass bed and an important fish
spawning place. If the new sasi regulations are installed, the boundaries will be shifted a bit
outwards because the traditional spot for the sasi sign has been built upon. Beyond the sasi
area lies the auctioned area. This 500 m long stretch runs towards the outer bay up to the
village. Around the pier lies an area called the “lelang kepala jembatan”, where the village head
used to put his lift net2 . The fourth zone, the middle section of the bay, is an open-access zone
where fishing is free (see Figure 12.1).
12.1.2 Biological characteristics
The fishing grounds of Tuhaha fishers are located in Tuhaha Bay, along the outer coast of
Saparua Island and in the Strait of Seram. The majority of fishers (57%) target both reef and
pelagic fish, while 40% catch pelagic fish only. About 20 fish species were recorded as
commonly caught: 11 pelagic fish and 9 reef species (see Appendix 3). In addition, fishers
target various types of shellfish.
All fishers reported a negative trend in their fish catches and a general decline of the marine
environment (see Section 12.8.4). The main causes, according to the fishers, were the increasing
number of fishers and the shift from traditional to modern gears. The increasing numbers of
FADs and lift nets have intensified the fishery dramatically and are said to have had a
destructive effect on the ecosystem. The larger numbers of motorboats have led to the
additional problem of oil spills in the water.
12.1.3 Fisheries technology
There are approximately 200 small boats and four motorized boats in the village. Of our fishers’
sample, 70% owned a small boat (perahu) and 7% had an engine. Most fishers used hand lines
and (cast) nets, 37% had hand lines only and 27% owned no gear. Three of the respondents
owned lift nets (Appendix 3).
Of the five lift nets in Tuhaha Bay, one is owned by the village head; the rest are owned by
other villagers. In order to place a lift net, the owner has to buy a permit from the Fisheries
Agency and ask permission from the village head, which is usually granted. Most artisanal
fishers have strong objections against the lift nets3 . Some of them, however, benefit. They
work with the lift nets at night. With the lights on their small boats, they lure away the fish
from the lift net, so that the net can be dropped. In exchange, they are allowed to fish around
the lift net and get a percentage of the catch.
Lelang labuhan
A special case of a private property resource with harvest restrictions enforced by the
temporary owner of a particular part of the bay is the lelang labuhan or the auctioned fishing
2 In our last conversation (Oct. 1998), the village head explained that the use of lift nets has become prohibited
within the bay. Regular fishers, whom he appoints, can now use his privately owned area. If a fisher really
needs it, he can also ask for permission to fish in his area.
3 Apparently, the village government has acknowledged the negative effects of the lift net fishery. As of 1998, the
use of lift nets is no longer allowed within Tuhaha Bay in order to preserve the fish spawning grounds. They
have to be placed 1.5km from the shoreline.
142 An Institutional Analysis of Sasi Laut in Maluku, Indonesia