An institutional analysis of sasi laut in Maluku, Indonesia

The majority of rural coastal villages are either predominantly Christian or predominantly
Muslim. In general, fish harvesters belong to the dominant faith. However, in seven cases
(Soahuku, Tiow, Eri, Seilale, Hutumuri, Seri, Tuhaha), we found a substantial proportion of
Muslim fishers at work in Christian villages. There is a significant difference between younger
and older fishers in terms of religion (ANOVA, p=0.005). Whereas only one-third of fishers
over 45 are Muslims, almost half of the younger fishers are so. This reflects the demographic
shift in Maluku. A predominantly Christian province since the Dutch colonial period, Maluku
has in the past decades become increasingly mixed, to the point where Muslims now
outnumber Christians.

Socio-economic data were collected from a sub-sample of 178 heads of fishing families in the
six case study villages (Appendix 3). For data from these villages, the analysis of variance
shows there is a significant difference (p<0.01) in the perceptions of Muslims and Christians in
terms of their access to, or role in, the fisheries decision-making processes. Most Muslims rate
their level of participation as low compared to the Christians. Muslims are also significantly
more likely to want their children to enter the fishery (ANOVA, p=0.07) and are much less
likely to consider sasi to be an important or useful institution (ANOVA, p=0.002). None of the
Muslim fishers are related to any soa besar, the traditional ruling elite in their villages.

Fishing families derive, on average, two-thirds of their income from fishing (Table 5.1). The
majority (80%) are able to cover daily expenses from fishing alone. On average, 22% of the
fish caught are eaten at home. Fishers who do not own their own gears but act as crew for a
commercial enterprise consume on average only 14% of their catch, whereas hand liners
consume the largest proportion: 27%. The percentage of catch consumed is not correlated
with economic status.

Table 5.1. Profile of fishers sampled in central Maluku in 1997-98.

The sub-sample of 178 fishers was divided into age classes (<45, 45-60, 60>) to investigate
age-related differences. We found that those under the age of 45 have a diverse array of
primary and secondary sources of income, whereas those over 60 are more exclusively fisher-
farmers. Very few fishers are members of organized fisheries groups, and when they are, this
is usually as part of a government-sponsored fisheries development program. Older fishers

48 An Institutional Analysis of Sasi Laut in Maluku, Indonesia

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