The fishers, though, have ideas on how to overcome some of these problems. They have
suggested the creation of a strong management system. If the village has a kewang with legal
status, the village government could stop the bombing, use of cyanide and the pollution from
the factories, which affect the fishery. Fishers would also like to see the small mesh nets
regulated and suggest zoning the fishing grounds with one part for the lift nets, an open area
where people could fish, and perhaps a zone for a fish nursery or aquaculture project. The
fishers explained that these were their own plans and that the government had not yet been
involved. They had had some meetings and the relationship between fishers and government
is getting better, but the plans are in a preliminary stage.
At the same time, however, the village head told our research team about his plans to re-
establish sasi. Apparently, there are some commercially interesting fish resources in Baguala
Bay, e.g., top shells, which have to be protected from theft by outsiders. The village head
plans to establish the saniri negeri (including the LMD, LKMD, and village leaders) and a
kewang. He explained that the villagers will be consulted, but that resource management will
be a government affair.
When it comes to trade, the fishers feel that they should cooperate more. Currently, every
fisher is working individually and, therefore, they have a rather weak market position. The
fishers would like government support to organize themselves. If the government would
provide the capital for their businesses and subsidies to buy modern fishing gears, groups of
about four fishers could be organized and have a boat, engine and gill net. The investment
would be Rp10 million (USD4,000, early 1997 exchange rate), which they expect to be able to
return after a year. Then they could work independently. The fishers would also like to have
training and awareness programs.
15.8 Outcomes
15.8.1 Equity
1. Role of fishers in management
The role of fishers in management is not very high (5.5 on a scale of 10), and not changing
over time. Opinions, however, were varied. According to some fishers in our sample, the
village government has a decisive role in determining whether and which fishers participate.
They felt that education has made people more capable of joining the discussions on fisheries
management and that they should be permitted to participate.
When asked about power-sharing, 53% thought the government had most or total
responsibility for fisheries management. Seventeen percent thought the people shared
responsibility equally with the government, and 30% saw the community as having more
responsibility.
2. Access to marine resources
The fishers’ access to marine resources has significantly declined compared to the past and
the fishers expect more restrictions in future. Access has been influenced by government
interventions, the need for permits, and tightening of rules. What rules these are, is not clear.
Thirty-seven fishers expressed a preference to change the rules.
Dusun Toisapu, Desa Hutumuri, Ambon Island 207