An institutional analysis of sasi laut in Maluku, Indonesia

Collaboration with other institutions

In 1997, a private organization called “Sarana Maluku Ventura” organized a credit system
through which the fishers can obtain a 15 HP engine for a boat. The fishers have to pay back
15% of their catch. In 1997, a loan for one boat plus engine was issued. In 1998, another six
engines were distributed, and 14 more are planned.

External economic influences

The economic crisis has apparently caused the number of FADs (and lift nets) to decline.
Before the monetary crisis, 20 FADs were owned by local people, five in 1997 and in 1998,
only three were left because there was no money to replace the lost and damaged FADs.

Infrastructure and development projects

The fishers complain about the nearby wood factory that causes pollution.

14.6 Incentives to Cooperate

The keys to resource management in Seri can be found on two levels. First, there are the
formal fisheries rules (e.g., on blast fishing and use of cyanide) that must be enforced. Secondly,
there is the effect of the largely unregulated large-scale fishery. Currently, this type of fishing
has a positive effect (higher catches) for the commercial sector, but is already acknowledged
as a possible threat to the fishery in general on the longer term, i.e., artisanal fishers blame
their falling catches on the commercial sector.

Tradition

Lien Wattimena explained: ”Traditionally the fishers would only fish at the “dark moon”.
When the moon was full, it was impossible to fish and so the fish had time to grow. But now
the fishers fish all the time. Also when it is full moon, they gather the fish with the lift net
while it is better to let them get bigger before you catch them.” The acknowledgment of
traditional limitations to fishing could be an incentive to comply with new fisheries regulations
if similar restrictions were in place.

Local knowledge and problem acknowledgment

Although there is a firm belief that God will protect the fishery, women and men in Seri seem
to have a notion of the need to manage their fishery. Merry Abrahamsz, one of the female
respondents, for example, came up with a very clear statement that “the amounts of fish and
the sustainability of the resources depend on how we manage them.” The increasing number
of fishing boats and lamp fishing are regarded as a problem because the fish have no time to
mature.

The solutions according to the fishers were: diversification, the processing of fresh fish,
aquaculture projects, but most important, the prohibition on bombing and the use of cyanide.
Besides, water pollution needs to be controlled. This realization and the acknowledgment
that current practices lead to destruction, are clear incentives to fisheries management.

188 An Institutional Analysis of Sasi Laut in Maluku, Indonesia

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