An institutional analysis of sasi laut in Maluku, Indonesia

Map #
Village

Sasi fisheries rules

Non-sas/ fisheries rules

Notes

ÏÔ
Porto

Harvest rights in sasi area sold for top shells, sea
cucumbers, giant clams, bia piling (shellfish) and
batu laga. Locals harvest the sasi area but outsiders
may share the harvest with written permission of the
kewang and kepala desa. Hand line fishing is always
allowed. Sasi rules are written down. Kewang has 40
members, for both land and sea. Sasi signs are set
up on the beach. Sanctions by kewang.

There is an effort being made to reinforce
sasi rules with formal village regulations.
Blast fishing and use of poisons prohibited.
Bagans from Haria that fish in the territory
must have permission and pay a fee.

Proceeds of resource rental divided
between village government and kewang.
Drop in clove price forced many people
to intensify fishing effort and sasi broke
down. Theft of top shells is a problem.

ïï

Morela

Top shells and sea cucumbers under sasi (Ielangl).
Kewang imposes sanctions.

Nonae fish may not be captured by persons
from outside the village unless they pay fee.
to kepala desa. Blast fishing forbidden

Very harmonious village with strong
tradition of collective action.

Ï2
Seith

None. Land kewang controls access to marine area.
Some fishers believe there is marine sasi.

No outsiders allowed to fish in the territory
without payment. Compressor diving using
poisons is forbidden.

Land sasi resource rent is divided among
village government for development
(60%), kewang (15%) and mosque (15%).

Ï3
Tengah
-tengah

Rights to sasi area (inshore to edge of reef) may be
sold by kewang for net fishing of pelagic fish (lema and
Ialosi) and sea cucumbers harvest; otherwise, area is
closed except for hand lines. Rental for pelagic fish
Rp75,000 a month (or half value of catch?). Can be
rented to locals or outsiders. Kewang chosen annually
by villagers from candidates selected by village
government. All household heads eligible but, except
for the kepala kewang, members can serve only once.
Chosen members pay village Rp7,500 and can then
control sasi income._______________________________________

Blast fishing prohibited.
No fishing on Friday.

Kewang supported also by shares of
coconut (20%) and nutmeg (10%)
harvest.

Î4
Rutah

None. Sasi lost (?); some fishers think there is
sasi on top shells and sea cucumbers.

None.

Ï5
Soahuku

None. Marine sasi lost. However, some
fishers say there is restriction on ornamental fish,
top shells and sea cucumbers.

Outsiders not allowed to fish in territory
except by permission of kepala desa.

Blast fishing and use of poisons
prohibited. Rules not written down.__________

Land sasi harvest divided among owner,
village and church. No sanctions
imposedby kewang.

Ï6
Batudua

None.

Blast fishing prohibited.

Dusun of Waai settled by Butonese
fishers.No sasi tradition. Fish in Pulau
Pombo marine reserve. Gear types:
bagan, hand line, fish traps (bubu).