5.2.3 Fish aggregating devices (rumpons)
Of the large gears, FADs require the least capital and those deployed in shallow waters are
most likely to be locally owned. In 1997-98, it cost Rp1-2 million to construct a FAD compared
to Rp0.5-1 million in previous years. The major cost involved is for the anchor and rope.
FAD owners often own a number of FADs as well as one or more fishing boats. Boats fishing
around a FAD may be large seiners but may also be small artisanal perahus. FAD owners pay
several types of taxes: a FAD permit every six months (Rp7,500), a license to fish in a particular
area (Rp89,000 per year) and a harbor fee for the fishing boat (e.g., in Masohi, Rp15,000 every
three months). In addition there are marketing fees.
5.2.4 Seiners
Commercial purse seine operators face the costs of buying and maintaining a boat and motor
as well as a purse seine (jaring bobo). If they sell their catch to Aneka Tata Bahari, the processor
in Tulehu, ice is provided free. In some cases, the boat owners also own the FADs where their
nets are deployed (see above). A boat cost about Rp17 million in 1998, while two 40 HP
motors cost another Rp23 million (up from Rp13 million in 1997). Between 1997 and 1998, the
cost of a purse seine rose 100% to Rp14 million. A full set of a boat and gears bought second-
hand could cost a total of Rp40 million. Seiners also have to pay for permits for their gears,
harborage and fishing area. There were common complaints from boat owners that as of
1997, they could no longer get fishing area permits from the province for boats with motors
over 90 HP. Now they must apply to Jakarta, which is more difficult and costly. One seiner
operator estimated that his boat generated Rp36 million in gross income over two years, of
which Rp27 million accrued to him as boat owner (Sam Kalahatu, Seri, pers. comm. 1998).
Each night, the seiner will operate next to a FAD where fish are attracted using lamps. In
many cases, the boat owners also own up to four FADs for each boat. The watchman on each
FAD sets up a sign if fish have aggregated. Any boat can then come to that FAD to fish.
Except when there is a special agreement with a fish trader to provide night transportation,
fishing goes on in the early morning hours so that the catch can be made at daybreak when
transportation is readily available. This way, the fish reach the market in the freshest condition.
A record of the catch goes into the books of the boat owner, which can be freely inspected by
the crew. The fish caught are divided into two portions. The larger portion will be sold and
the smaller portion goes directly to the crew (food fish).
Before 1992, seiner catches were split 60:40 with 60% going to the boat owner and 40% to the
crew. However, this system was changed. Now, the crew gets 25-30% of the value of fish
sold, whereas the owner of the boat and FAD retain the other 70-75%. If the FAD owner is a
different person than the boat owner, the owner’s portion is split between them after they
cover their expenses i.e., daily outlay for oil, gas, food etc., taxes and maintenance. The crew’s
portion is divided into shares according to the number of crew. Where there are 20 crewmen,
for example, the money will be divided into 24 shares: one for each of the regular crew, two
for the captain and two for the man operating the FAD and lamps. If the boat is owned by a
processing company, two additional shares may be allocated to a bookkeeper who records
the names of the crew on each trip and calculates and records all expenses and share values.
Other men with particular skills may also merit an extra share.
The Fisheries and Fish Markets of Central Maluku 51