Since there is no fisheries management in Toisapu-Hutumuri, there are no direct players besides
the village head. He handles the informal arrangements, e.g., the collection of fees that is
demanded from outside fishers and lift net owners. He is also the one who reports to the
police if the formal fisheries laws are neglected, e.g., the prohibition on the use of bombs and
other destructive gears.
There is no local enforcement mechanism, e.g., kewang, and the police play a marginal role in
fisheries management.
The fishers, especially from the artisanal sector, have a clear idea about what causes the marine
environment to decline. They suggest installing a management system before the fishery is
depleted. The LMD of Hutumuri, however, is partly dysfunctional and the village head lacks
the authority to be a main player in organizing the people towards management.
The influence of the church on people is significant. The church is a more stable institution,
and people prefer the church programs to those of the government. Traditionally, however,
the church has never been involved in resource management and although support of the
church is indispensable, it is not likely that it will play an active role in future resource
management.
15.4.3 Enforcement and compliance
There are few fisheries rules that are applied to the Hutumuri-Toisapu fishery. Compliance to
these formal fisheries rules is perceived to be low. Management of fishery resources in
Hutumuri can materialize only if the fishery laws can be enforced. Fishery problems, such as
the use of bombs to catch fish, are usually reported by the head of the dusun to the Water
Police Squad, and in a few cases, the police actually went after bombers (who came from
outside Hutumuri). Generally, however, enforcement is difficult because local enforcement
structures are not in place and offenders cannot be forced to pay.
The fact that the LMD is not fully functional at this stage does not help either. Many villagers
regret this state of affairs, and feel that there should be some kind of fisheries management to
protect the resource, as well as to improve people’s livelihoods. There are ideas to coordinate
fishers groups through the KUD in cooperation with BAPPEDA (Regional Development
Planning Agency), have awareness training, and develop local fishing enterprises. In addition,
the re-establishment of a kewang or comparable enforcement institution is necessary.
15.5 External Institutional and Organizational Arrangements
Political link with higher government bodies
National fishery laws are supposed to be delivered to the village by field extension officers.
But if these officers do arrive in the village, they only come to have their logbooks signed,
which the village head refuses to do.
Between 20-30 times a year, government officials from various institutions - mainly the district
and municipal offices - visit the village. Hutumuri is involved in various fishery programs
from the Fisheries Agency. The extension programs usually involve the Butonese because
they are full-time fishers. The activities are under the jurisdiction of the village and dusun
government.
204 An Institutional Analysis of Sasi Laut in Maluku, Indonesia