An institutional analysis of sasi laut in Maluku, Indonesia

Map #
Village

Sasi fisheries rules

Non-sas/ fisheries rules

Notes

17
Hitu
Lama

None.

Blast fishing and use of poisons prohibited.
Outsiders allowed to fish in territory (but
must pay?). Catching make with lamp and
jala net is prohibited.

Economic pressures high.

18
Tiouw

None. Marine sasi lost.

None.

Kepala desa interested in revitalizing sasi.
Fishers mostly Butonese immigrants.

19
Eri

None.

Blast fishing, use of poisons and coral mining
prohibited by village law after village worked
together with Fisheries Agency and Mining
Department. Up to 2 m_ of rocks for building
materials may be taken by locals after payment
to village.

Dusun of Nusaniwe. Never had
marine sasi.

20
Seilale

None.

Blast fishing, use of poisons and coral
mining prohibited.___________________________

Land sasi by the church: no sanctions.

2Ï
Iha

None. Marine Sasi lost.

Blast fishing and use of poisons prohibited.

22
Ouw

None.

Blast fishing and use of poisons prohibited.
Outsiders must ask permission to fish in the
territory.

Ouw fishers suspected of stealing from
Ihamahu and Nolloth sasi areas.

23
Booi

None.

Blast fishing and use of poisons prohibited.
Outsiders must ask permission to fish in the
territory.____________________________________________

24
Saparua

None. Marine sasi lost.

New prohibitions on blast fishing and use
of poisons by LMD/LKMD, enforced by police

Old marine sasi rules were written down
now lost.

25
Tuhaha

None. Marine sasi lost but being revived.

Bagan fishery by district government permit.
Lelang areas auctioned for net fishery.

Perception that access to decision-
making depends on status. Economic
needs may lead to non-compliance.

26
Hulaliu

None. Marine sasi lost but being revived. New rules
will prohibit cutting mangroves, collecting corals,
taking sand from beach. Will have three sasi areas
where harvest rights for top shells, sea cucumbers
and japing-japing∕mancado will be auctioned. Auction
limited to current village residents.

Bagan fishery by district government permit.
Blast fishing and use of poisons prohibited.
Part of territory rented out by village
government for harvest of top shells,
sea cucumbers (Rp40,000∕d) and
ornamental fish (Rp50,000/ d).

Land sasi products shared with church.
Fishers feel not involved in decision-
making. Compliance low due to
economic pressures and lack of
enforcement.