global center for coral reef biodiversity. Endangered species inhabiting this area include
dolphins and whales, turtles, giant clams (Tridacna spp.), other types of molluscs such as the
Triton’s trumpet (Charonsa tritonis), giant helmet shells (Cassis cornuta), chambered nautilus
(Nautilus pompilus), top shells (Trochus niloticus) and the green snail (Turbo marmoratus).
A recent marine resources potential survey (PSL Unpatti in LIPI 1996) revealed diverse
biological communities in the intertidal, inshore reef flats and reef slopes. Among others,
mangrove, sea grass and coral reef habitats have been found.
Except for some sheltered estuaries where mangrove forests are quite extensive, mangroves
are mostly confined to narrow coastal strips. Saparua Island mangrove areas boast up to 22
different species. On Haruku, mangroves are much more limited in extent (Wouthuyzen et
al. in LIPI 1994a, 1994b). Conversion of coastal land, including mangroves for shrimp pond
development, is just beginning in central Maluku (northern Seram) but conversion for housing
development is already widespread.
Extensive sea grass beds are common in central Maluku (Wouthuyzen in LIPI 1996; PSL Unpatti
in LIPI 1994). Fishes sighted in sea grass beds around Saparua Island number 62 species
(Wouthuyzen et al. in LIPI 1994). Surveyors in 1991 (de Iongh et al. 1994) found dugong-
feeding tracks in sea grass beds in the Lease Island villages of Ameth, Nalahia, Ihamahu,
Paperu, Rohumoni, Kabau, and Haruku. These sea grass beds are also a feeding ground for
the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and green turtle (Chelonia mydas).
Coral species diversity in the Lease Island region is described as high; researchers found 110
species at Pulau Pombo (PSL-UNPATTI 1994) and 85 at Ihamahu (Antariksa et al. 1993).
Surveys documenting the hard coral cover (LIPI 1996) in central Maluku locations on Seram,
Ambon and the Lease Islands show that healthy corals are already rare. The survey further
indicates that the absence of good coral reefs is closely related to the use of bombs and other
destructive fishing methods. The details are as follows:
• An average cover of live corals greater than 76% was not found on any reef surveyed.
• A cover of live corals in the range of 51-75% was found on 16% of the reef area.
• A cover of live corals in the range of 26-50% was found on 32% of the reef area.
• A live coral cover in the range of 0-25% was most common, being present on 47% of
the reef area surveyed.
Leonardo (1996) reported on the condition of coral communities in the coastal waters of
Saparua Island and described four areas of the island, all of which had suffered damage from
blast fishing as well as from infestation by crowns of thorn starfish.
• The north coast had a 23.8% live hard coral cover and 36.6% soft coral cover.
• The east coast had a 42% live hard coral cover and 26.1% soft coral cover.
• The south coast had a 27.3% live hard coral cover and 32.4% soft coral cover.
• The west coast had a 31.4% live hard coral cover and 33.2% soft coral cover.
3.4 Characteristics of the Fishery
In central Maluku, agricultural capacity is limited and the fisheries sector is regarded as
theopportunity for economic development. Over recent years, fishing efforts have been
escalating. The prediction is that fishing efforts will increase by 50% in the next five years.
At the same time, stock assessments and data on catches are inadequate. If this continues,
over-exploitation of commercially harvested resources is likely (Nikijuluw 1995).
32 An Institutional Analysis of Sasi Laut in Maluku, Indonesia