Across Indonesia’s 16,056 islands and expansive coastline lies a rich reserve of marine resources, and a magnet for illegal fishing. But in the Maluku Islands, local wisdom is safeguarding precious fisheries, building sustainability and economic resilience in the process.
Maluku Islands province is one of Indonesia’s most high-potential fishery areas. Its area is 92.4 percent ocean, so fishing has been central to local culture for generations. Local wisdom guarded and preserved since ancient times, Sasi Laut offers guidance in managing and utilising fishery resources. It is made up of Tutup Sasi (Closed Sasi) and Buka Sasi (Open Sasi).
Tutup Sasi is a prohibition on catching a certain number of fish, on the use of certain fishing gear and on catching fish in certain areas. Every Sasi Laut practice begins with the Tutup Sasi ceremony, marked by placing young coconut leaves on the sasi area. During Tutup Sasi, all fishing activities in the area close to the sasi are prohibited. The Tutup Sasi period can last three months, six months or even a full year.
