An institutional analysis of sasi laut in Maluku, Indonesia

living in the community (e.g., Ihamahu), or by the whole community in a single communal harvest
(e.g., Haruku), or by individuals from within or outside the community who have paid for the
privilege of access and withdrawal (e.g., Nolloth, Itawaka, Kabau, Pelauw). In Seram (Rohua,
Amahai), we found villages that had a nominal form of marine sasi under which the closed season
or area applied only to outsiders, while local residents had unlimited access to the resources.

Table 7.7. Number of marine species groups directly affected by marine sasi rules and/or closures.
Species groups include shellfish, holothurians, pelagic fish, reef fish (for food), ornamental fish,
mangroves and corals.

Table 7.8. Most common marine resources protected or managed (i.e., sasi rule or closed season) through
marine sasi.

7.2.3 Village leaders’ opinions on sasi as a resource management institution

People interviewed for the inventory - predominantly male authority figures (see Table 2.2) -
were unfailingly positive about sasi, even if it was no longer functional in their village. Some
volunteered their opinion on the usefulness of the institution. Typical comments were:

“It is good if sasi continues because there are benefits for the people and the village;
however the management must be good”. (Morela village)

“The benefit is that harvests are more abundant and this improves the village economy.
Without sasi, coconuts are harvested and sold before they are ripe by people wanting
to process the copra. Then it is hard to find dry coconuts in the village to eat”. (Rutah
village)

“Sasi is good. The coconuts get a chance to ripen. Little fishes are not harvested and
they are used better”. (Hitu Lama village)

“Sasi has three advantages: income for the village, a better quality of life and control
of theft”. (Mamala village)

Less typically, people mentioned ethics and environmental values:

“Sasi is good and needs to be preserved because it has high ideals for protecting the
environment”. (Waitomu village)

“Sasi has to be preserved because it is a positive force. The population is rising and
people want to take everything. This will ruin the resources”. (Amahai village)

Result of The Inventory of Sasi 73

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