An institutional analysis of sasi laut in Maluku, Indonesia

Since Hutumuri has the highest economic score and the largest level of ownership of expensive
gears, this may help explain their high score relative to the other villages. Hulaliu fishers are
particularly dissatisfied with fishing rules and this appears to influence their perception on
decision-making. The significant decrease Hulaliu fishers experienced may also be related to
the decline of sasi and the implementation of the new village structure and elected leaders.

Hutumuri fishers also believe that decision-making in their village is by majority or total
agreement. On the other hand, Hulaliu fishers think that decision-making is dominated by
the elite. The only explanation for the relatively high score in Haruku is that it is a sasi village;
none of the other factors can explain their positive perception! Hulaliu and Nolloth scored
highest in the past. Currently, the situation in all villages is not significantly different and
neither are future expectations.

Table 16.16. Perceived differences among villages in terms of ability in collective decision-making,
as determined by ANOVA. Duncan’s test indicates ranking of the six villages (average descending
from left to right). Lines connect villages that are not significantly different from one another.
Hl=Hulaliu, Ht=Hutumuri, Tu=Tuhaha, Se=Seri, Ha=Haruku, No=Nolloth.

Ease of entry

There are no significant differences between the villages in the ease of entry into the fishery.
All fishers perceive that fishing is getting more difficult to get into because of rising costs e.g.,
taxes, the need for better and more expensive gears, higher fuel costs related to the longer
distances to good fishing-grounds, etc. This is consistent with the analysis performed on 28
villages. Fishers who are members of village development groups perceive more negative
changes in the ease of entry, perhaps because they are older. Muslim fishers perceive entry
into the fishery to be particularly difficult, whereas fishers with an external income perceive
it to be less difficult (Table 16.17). A positive perception is correlated with a desire to change
fisheries rules. The fishers who find it harder to enter (or stay in) the fishery are those who
are less willing to bend the rules. Fishers who see entry into the fishery as being relatively
easy also think that decision-making is elitist.

226 An Institutional Analysis of Sasi Laut in Maluku, Indonesia

<<   <   239   240   241   242   243   244   245   >   >>