An institutional analysis of sasi laut in Maluku, Indonesia

As was seen in the larger performance analysis (Chapter 8), there is a correlation between
perceived biological sustainability in the larger fishery and the existence of a sasi institution.
However, this correlation may be indirect, i.e., the result of the relatively greater experience
and age of the sasi fishers.

Fish catches

All villages perceived reduced fish catches compared to 15 years ago (Table 16.29). Again,
Seri fishers perceived significantly less decline than Tuhaha, Hulaliu, Hutumuri and Nolloth
fishers. The fishers who are willing to change jobs, who want to change fisheries rules, and
who think decision-making is elitist in their villages perceive conditions to be relatively better.
Seri fishers are relatively less pessimistic as they have significantly higher current catches
than in most other villages.

As with the current perceived state of the resource, the explanation for the perception of Seri
fishers is probably the age of the respondents. Older fishers can remember the days of
abundance before the appearance of modern gears and intensification of the fishery. Also, it
may be related to Seri’s situation beside an upwelling area that is rich in nutrients and fish.
Hutumuri’s waters, by contrast, are polluted and over-fished.

Table 16.29. Differences among villages in perception of fish catches.

In all villages, significant future decline is expected. Tuhaha fishers, however, are most negative
about the future (but had a high score of 9.13 in the past), followed by Hutumuri and Nolloth.
Seri fishers are least pessimistic about the future.

16.7 Village Summaries

16.7.1 Villages with sasi

Nolloth is the village with the strongest sasi system. Sasi is strong and commercially-oriented,
and vigorously enforced to generate income for the village government. In Nolloth, the village
institutions which are important with regard to sasi or resource management in general, are
present and functional, i.e., the government (including traditional leaders), kewang, church and
KUD. Adat structures have melted into the new village structure, and Nolloth is the one village

236 An Institutional Analysis of Sasi Laut in Maluku, Indonesia

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