CTC, alongside a team of consultants led by Dr. Dedi S. Adhuri, a senior researcher from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), has launched a study on marine tenure systems in coastal and marine resources management focusing in Maluku and a subset of Papua. Embedded in the local culture and based on customary law (adat) for over 400 years, this marine tenure system is disappearing due to a variety of factors. This study aims to uncover the presence of, the degree of activity, and the causes for the loss or survival of the tenurial system in these islands to inform the revitalization of traditional institutions and processes in the context of co-management of coastal and marine resources in Indonesia.  A tenure system in resource management refers to a governance system that controls or regulates conditions and standards for tenure management rights.  In Maluku and Papua, the practice of the tenurial system is widely known as sasi, which may be applied to marine and terrestrial resources.  In other parts of Indonesia, the tenurial system is called Awig Awig (Bali) and Panglima Laot (Aceh).

Last April, CTC and a team of BRIN consultants  led by Dr. Dedi S. Adhuri launched the study on the role of the marine tenure systems in natural resources management in Indonesia,  in Maluku and Papua. With the Banda Islands and Lease Islands as sampling sites, the team further selected two target villages on each island where one village has received (project) intervention from NGOs while the other has not or has minimal intervention from NGOs or other external influences.

Sasi laut is a marine tenure system that has long existed in Indonesia. It governs resource management and utilization with the aim of achieving resource use sustainability. It is, or the remnants of it, are still being practiced on several islands, such as Ambon, Seram, the Lease Islands, and the Banda Islands. However, in parts of Maluku, the system is disappearing for reasons yet to be understood.  

To date, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on this subject. The purpose of this research is to provide new information on current sasi laut practices, including actors that play a role in governing the system and the mechanisms in place that sustain the practice. At a later stage it will be used to inform and develop policy briefs and management recommendations. Further, these policy briefs and management recommendations are expected to enhance sasi laut’s sustainability and the management of coastal and marine resources.

“My hope is that this study will identify the sasi culture and marine tenure system, that is  still being practiced and that may have already  disappeared but once existed in Maluku and Papua, so it can be used as a basis  to support local wisdom in increasing the effectiveness of marine resource management and MPA management in Indonesia”, expressed Purwanto, CTC’s Portfolio Manager for Ambon.

This study employs a qualitative approach with data collection carried out through focus group discussions (FGD), in-depth interviews, observation and participatory mapping. Additionally, the team will also conduct a literature review about the practice of sasi and the marine tenure system in Maluku and Papua.

From April 16–19, 2024, the team started data collection in Banda Neira and Ay, in the Banda Islands. In these villages they conducted observation, interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs) with representatives from local government, with community leaders, and relevant partners such as researchers or practitioners who work in these locations. The team  then proceeded with data analysis before continuing  their visit to the next locations. 

Following a similar practice as in the Banda Islands, the team collected data from other locations by first reviewing existing literature and conducting interviews with relevant stakeholders in the target locations. From May 26 to June 4, they visited Saparua and Haruku in the Lease Islands. In Saparua, they conducted three FGDs in Mahu, Nolloth, and Pelauw villages attended by the representatives of the community , local government, customary leaders, and NGOs from these villages. In Haruku, they met with the head of Kewang and head of Haruku village or Raja Haruku for in-depth interview about sasi practices in these areas. 

The team uncovered interestingly distinct sasi practices of traditional marine resources management in Pelauw, Saparua, as compared to other places in Maluku. 

Dr. Dedhi Adhuri shared, “Here, sasi, referred to as lelang labuhan by the locals, is conducted through an auction to determine the area where resources can exclusively be exploited by the winner of the auction. Sasi’s common practice of seasonal closure does not apply in this village, although our initial findings suggest that this would mean less pressure on the local natural resources due to  fewer people involved in resource exploitation – the auction winner(s) are  the people  granted access. We will know more when we have completed our analysis”. 

The variety of sasi practices identified in different target locations might imply varied consequental impacts on marine resources by traditional people and indigenous communities  who depend on these resources for economic benefit and  involvement in decision making. By law, these groups are granted exclusive user rights for formal engagement in coastal and small island zoning plans. Yet, it does not fully recognize traditional marine territories and thus prevents adequate mapping, recording, and recognition of customary marine tenure claims.      

Dr. Hesti Widodo CTC’s Senior Program Manager imparted, “Awareness of the need to identify and integrate Indigenous and traditional peoples’ roles, rights, responsibilities, practices, and knowledge in marine resource management is crucial for fostering inclusive marine governance. Recognizing these contributions from the outset ensures their active participation and benefits conservation efforts. In the future, areas outside of designated conservation zones with potential conservation impacts can contribute to the global target of conserving 30% of the marine area. This approach also provides opportunities for non-state actors to participate”.     

Although the findings and recommendations are yet to be revealed, when fully concluded this sasi laut study is expected to offer valuable insights to support future marine and coastal management not only in Maluku and Papua but also across Indonesia. Of equal importance, the insights derived from this study would also inform strategies to revitalize traditional institutions and institution building in the context of co-management of marine and coastal resources in Indonesia and contribute to achieving national and international area-based conservation targets.

Writers: Olivia Sope, Purwanto, Hesti Widodo
Photos: Gerald Istia/CTC, Dwi Surkan, Dedi S. Adhuri