An institutional analysis of sasi laut in Maluku, Indonesia

Map #
Village

Sasi fisheries rules

Non-sas/ fisheries rules

Notes

49
Ulath

Top shells and sea cucumbers harvest rights rented
out, often to Madurese. Because of trouble between
kewang and kepala desa, sasi moved to church in 1992
and marine sasi area was closed indefinitely.

Blast fishing and use of poisons prohibited.

Many young people starting to go after
marine resources.

50
Kulur

None.

Blast fishing and use of poisons prohibited.

51
Akoon

None. Used to be sasi on pelagic fish, with closed
season most of the year and open season one month
depending on abundance of fish. Offenders fined.

Blast fishing and use of poisons forbidden.
Outsiders must pay fee to fish in territory
(Rp25,000 per deployment of net) to catch
reef fish and pelagic fish (Ialosi).

52
Ameth

None. Used to be sasi on top shells, sea cucumbers and
seaweed (cincao, a source of carageenan)

Tourists pay fee to village to dive in
the territory.

Outsiders pay to use nets in the territory.

Blast fishing and use of poisons forbidden
(traditional poison is allowed).________________

Kewang was hereditary. Used to have
communal fishery i.e., sousoki.

53

Abubu

None. Land kewang guards territory from outsiders.
Used to have sasi on top shells and sea cucumbers.
Sanctions psychological (public shaming).

Blast fishing and use of poisons prohibited.
Outsiders not allowed to fish in territory.

Rumpon owners must pay fee to use territory
(Rp50,OOO/year)._______________________________

Sousoki lasted until 1990s.

54
Leinitu

None. Used to be sasi on pelagic fish (momar, Ialosi),
top shells and sea cucumbers. Psychological sanctions.

Blast fishing, use of poisons and coral mining
prohibited. No fishing on Sunday. Territory
not open to outsiders. Sand and rocks may be
taken by locals for building, but not for sale.

Land sasi crop shared with raja, church
and schoolteachers. LMD made up of
clan leaders.

55
Sila

None.

Stripping bark from mangroves prohibited.
Blast fishing and use of poisons prohibited.
Sand sold by village government.

Church (land) sasi rules not written; no
sanctions. Kewang are volunteers. Kepala
desa = raja = ketua adat.

56
Nalahia

None.

Cutting mangroves and coral mining
prohibited by written village law. Violators
fined. Blast fishing and use of poisons
prohibited. Since 1970s, harvest rights rented
out for top shells and sea cucumbers (Rp25,000
I day) and fees collected from outsiders fishing
in territory.

Used to have communal fishery: sousoki.
Lost in 1980s. Church sasi on coconuts
has no written rules or sanctions.

57
Titawai

None. Used to have sasi on top shells, sea cucumbers
and one other species of shellfish. In past, kewang used
hard labor as sanction.

Blast fishing and use of poisons prohibited.
No fishing on Sunday.

There is evidence of blast fishing in the
territory.