We have noted that the traditional sasi style of resource management, involving ceremony,
volunteerism and inherited status, works best in homogeneous villages in the 1,000-3,000
population range. Larger and more culturally mixed municipal units probably require a
different management approach, although this could still be developed under the sasi “banner”.
Practitioners seeking to revitalize or re-invent sasi must pay attention to the demographic
shift in fishing communities and the different cultural ethos of new generations.
18.7.1 Support for revitalization of sasi as an element in co-management
The recent evolution of sasi in the direction of marine resource conservation, such as
implementation of gear restrictions in Haruku and Ihamahu, can be linked to interventions
from Pattimura University and Ambon-based environmental NGOs (particularly Yayasan
Hualopu) active in marine conservation work in Maluku. Recently, a government program
(COREMAP) has also begun several projects aimed at conserving coral reefs through local
level management strategies. These outsiders enter villages with external funding and
stimulate debate and change through research, mapping, and public education.
NGO efforts to support and revitalize local level resource management are still limited in
scope and effect. Because of the general suspicion of NGO activities in many government
circles, NGO interventions must be very careful not to alienate government staff. In eastern
Indonesia, NGOs are few in number, their level of regional, national and international
networking is still limited, and advocacy in government circles has only just begun. Advocacy
by NGOs has always been difficult in the political climate of Indonesia but this may change if
the current push for democratization and decentralization is successful.
18.7.2 Recommendations for government support of sasi
A recent document prepared by policy and law specialists (Sopacua et al. 1998) recommends
that the government acknowledges existing sasi systems and revitalizes sasi where it has been
lost, or establishes new co-management systems. Specifically, the recommendations are:
• Recognize and formalize sasi and kewang as components in a national co-management
structure. Sasi should not be limited to a few commercial species, but should be
extended to maintain the biodiversity of resources, especially indigenous, endemic
species and key habitats (i.e., mangroves, sea grass and coral reefs).
• Provide local/traditional institutions with knowledge and skills to improve their
capacities and increase networking for information exchange. Workshops and training
that cover technical, management, scientific and technological aspects could be
facilitated by government agencies, research institutions and NGOs.
• Development of the co-management concept is a collective responsibility. The
government should support the community in managing resources by providing
infrastructure and technical capacity. NGOs should also support the process
by offering their technical assistance, knowledge and skills as needed.
• Together with villagers, establish zoning of marine areas (open access, limited use
and protected zones) for management and conservation purposes.
• Define and control fishing zones for both large-scale and traditional fishers, and renew
efforts to stop the use of destructive fishing gears.
280 An Institutional Analysis of Sasi Laut in Maluku, Indonesia