The activity of the sasi institution (as applied to both land and marine resources) was
quantified by adding the number of positive indicators for presence, closed seasons,
consistency of application and local effort (Table 2.3). Initially, a score was also given if
sanctions were imposed on offenders. However, it became clear that whereas physical
sanctions were always imposed in Muslim villages, Christian villages with strong and active
church sasi often used not fines but the threat of punishment by God as a deterrent. As it
could not be quantified for all villages, the presence or absence of sanctions was dropped as
an indicator.
The activity of marine sasi was quantified by combining indicators for the presence of sasi fisheries
rules, periodic closure of a marine sasi area to local harvesters that affected one or more species,
and the existence of written rules and active enforcement of access restrictions (Table 2.4).
Table 2.3. Attributes considered in assigning a score for presence and activity of sasi in a village.
Attributes are weighted so as to be equal in value.
|
Attribute |
Indicator |
Response |
Score |
|
Presence Score 0-3 |
Is there sasi in the village? |
no |
0 |
|
village sasi only |
1 | ||
|
two or more types |
3 | ||
|
Closure Score 0-3 |
Does sasi involve the opening and closing |
no |
0 |
|
yes |
3 | ||
|
Consistency Score 0-3 |
Was there a ceremony to open/close sasi Did sasi open/close last year? Did sasi open/close in years before that? |
no |
0 |
|
yes |
1 | ||
|
no |
0 | ||
|
yes |
1 | ||
|
no |
0 | ||
|
yes |
1 | ||
|
Local effort Score 0-3 |
When sasi is closed, are special signs |
no |
0 |
|
yes |
3 | ||
|
Maximum possible score |
12 |
Table 2.4. Attributes used in assigning a score for activity of marine sasi in each village. Attributes are
weighted so as to be equal in value.
|
Attribute |
Indicator |
Response |
Score |
|
Presence Score 0-3 |
Is there marine sasi ? |
no |
0 |
|
yes |
3 | ||
|
Closure Score 0-3 |
Is the sasi area ever closed to village |
no |
0 |
|
yes |
3 | ||
|
Written rules Score 0-3 |
Are there written sasi rules that apply to |
no |
0 |
|
yes |
3 | ||
|
Enforcement Score 0-3 |
Does a kewang or other group of villagers |
no |
0 |
|
yes |
3 | ||
|
Maximum possible score |
12 |
In both sasi and non-sasi villages, rules that seek to restrict or control fisheries access and
withdrawal can be found outside the institution of sasi. The strength of marine management in
both sasi and non-sasi villages was quantified by combining indicators for gear restrictions, local
fisheries rules other than the national restriction on blast fishing and the use of poisons, area
closures, the number of species affected by management rules, and active enforcement (Table 2.5).
16 An Institutional Analysis of Sasi Laut in Maluku, Indonesia