12.6 Incentives to Cooperate
In Tuhaha, incentives for fisheries management have to be studied on different levels. Firstly,
there are the incentives that people used to have or still have with regard to compliance to the
former sasi rules. Secondly, there are the incentives that explain the fishers’ conformation to
the formal rules (i.e., on blast fishing) and their acceptance of the limitations imposed under
a private property rights regime. Finally, there are incentives to re-institutionalize sasi or a
similar form of fisheries management.
Adat
Before sasi collapsed, compliance was high and enforcement vigorous. The traditional adat
leaders enforced the rules and respect for ancestral spirits was prevalent. Reluctance to harvest
unripe fruits and small fish in the sasi area was high because “if you took it, you would break
the traditional rules.” This respect for adat, which is still present, is an important building
foundation for sasi and for compliance with fisheries regulations.
Sanctions
Strict enforcement by the owners of the auctioned area is a key incentive to comply with
current access restrictions. On the other hand, lax enforcement allows for non-compliance to
the rules limiting the numbers and mesh size of lift nets.
Acknowledgment of problems in the fishery
Mostly older people had a very strong idea that without sasi, resources will be destroyed. The
younger fishers also noted negative effects related to the abolishment of sasi, but most of
these fishers target pelagic fish. They fish inside Tuhaha Bay only when the sea is too rough
to go beyond. These fishers did mention the increased number of fishing boats and introduction
of modern gears as causing problems, but active fisheries management is not yet discussed.
Nevertheless, they acknowledge that the spawning grounds in the bay need to be protected.
This realization is an important incentive for revitalization of sasi and will enhance compliance
to fisheries regulations that may be installed.
Government support for management
A few women in our sample stated that they believe that marine resources are a gift of God and
that harvests depend on God’s will. It is up to the people, however, to protect and preserve the
resources. They say this concern should be supported by the village government and should be
passed on to the higher levels, so that government could help the villagers to manage the
resources. For long-term protection of the resources, the women said sasi has to be revitalized.
Interests of the local government
The village government has certain interests in the re-institutionalization of sasi. The
establishment of a kewang and acknowledgment of traditional authorities based on adat would
provide a legitimate basis to implement local rules and restore order in the village. Moreover,
the village government is interested in the financial benefits that are associated with sasi, i.e.,
the auction of the harvest rights of commercially interesting products. Political stability and
economic benefits are thus important incentives to revitalize sasi and enforce the rules.
152 An Institutional Analysis of Sasi Laut in Maluku, Indonesia