If you spend a few days on Bokori Island . Kendari, for example, then you will be familiar with thesound of blast fishing which the local people do to catch fish every day. Or perhaps you want to visitthe coral reefs in the eastern Indonesian waters, then you will notice several boats equipped withcompressors supplying oxygen to the divers who are busy spraying cyanide on fishes hiding inside andbetween the reefs. The above two examples show how destructive fishing still occurs unhindered.The same activities unfortunately have been practiced elsewhere in Indonesia. In fact, field data showsthat more than 50% of reef fish production (both for consumption and ornamental purposes) iscaught using these destructive techniques. It has been five decades since this problem first arose and itkeeps going on unabated with even increasing intensity,These practices not only destruct the fish habitat but also serve as a breeding ground for corruption,collusion and nepotism for several law enforcers. It is general knowledge to the fishermen thatthe immorality of our law enforcers is one factor why such problem is difficult to handle.The monitoring and enforcement operations carried out are in fact become the means to blackmailthe fishermen involved in destructive fishing, which in this case do not tackle the problem but furtherstimulate such practice, because the fishermen feel that all matters are handled just by paying offthe officers.Meanwhile, the conditions of the coral reefs are degrading. In several areas, harvests are declining andpoverty is increasing. More children are dropping out of school.Do we want this condition to continue?Results from several assistance activities carried out by Telapak and its partners show that governmentefforts to solve the problem of destructive fishing have not yet touch the root of the problem itself. Onthe contrary, they are stimulating new opportunities to increase such activities. Legal measures takenperceive the fish catching actors as potential source of money. Even if they were arrested, only few thatwould actually go to court. While on the other hand, the fishermen themselves feel there are no otheralternative livelihoods. What these fishermen need is an opportunity to an alternative source of incomeby placing them as objects of reform and not as money resource or objects that must be destroyed.Under the current system, jail is not the main solution to the problem. Community approach andassistance that will give them opportunities to reform is the best way to solve this problem.This book talks about lessons learned from Telapak.s field experiences from 1999-2004 in compilingdata and developing collaborative learning process with the fishermen who are actors in destructivefishing in several regions in Indonesia.
Promising Coral Reef Threats to Coral Reefs Destruction The Toxic Sea of the Island of the Gods Bajo Indah, Poverty Leading to Disaster Toxic on the Eastern Sea Ponggawa, Juragan and Sawi in Sembilan Island Intergenerational and Nature Elements Equity Telapak and Coastal and Marine Management Policies
The Buried Pearl When the red sun risen over the eastern horizon Sounds of crickets fading The Islanders are on their boat Sailing knitting waves Fragments of coral reefs Covering the yellow sand granules Carpeted with sea grass Crowned with colorful sea creatures ................................. Redite, 22 June 2003 I Wayan Patut
Photographer : M. Imran Amin/Telapak Location : Makasar - South Sulawesi 4
Preface
If you spend a few days on Bokori Island – Kendari, for example, then you will be familiar with the sound of blast fishing which the local people do to catch fish every day. Or perhaps you want to visit the coral reefs in the eastern Indonesian waters, then you will notice several boats equipped with compressors supplying oxygen to the divers who are busy spraying cyanide on fishes hiding inside and between the reefs. The above two examples show how destructive fishing still occurs unhindered. The same activities unfortunately have been practiced elsewhere in Indonesia. In fact, field data shows that more than 50% of reef fish production (both for consumption and ornamental purposes) is caught using these destructive techniques. It has been five decades since this problem first arose and it keeps going on unabated with even increasing intensity, These practices not only destruct the fish habitat but also serve as a breeding ground for corruption, collusion and nepotism for several law enforcers. It is general knowledge to the fishermen that the immorality of our law enforcers is one factor why such problem is difficult to handle. The monitoring and enforcement operations carried out are in fact become the means to blackmail the fishermen involved in destructive fishing, which in this case do not tackle the problem but further stimulate such practice, because the fishermen feel that all matters are handled just by paying off the officers. Meanwhile, the conditions of the coral reefs are degrading. In several areas, harvests are declining and poverty is increasing. More children are dropping out of school. Do we want this condition to continue? Results from several assistance activities carried out by Telapak and its partners show that government efforts to solve the problem of destructive fishing have not yet touch the root of the problem itself. On the contrary, they are stimulating new opportunities to increase such activities. Legal measures taken perceive the fish catching actors as potential source of money. Even if they were arrested, only few that would actually go to court. While on the other hand, the fishermen themselves feel there are no other alternative livelihoods. What these fishermen need is an opportunity to an alternative source of income by placing them as objects of reform and not as money resource or objects that must be destroyed. Under the current system, jail is not the main solution to the problem. Community approach and assistance that will give them opportunities to reform is the best way to solve this problem. This book talks about lessons learned from Telapak’s field experiences from 1999 – 2004 in compiling data and developing collaborative learning process with the fishermen who are actors in destructive fishing in several regions in Indonesia. Bogor, June 2004 M. Imran Amin Program Coordinator PROMOLA - TELAPAK
estructive Fishing is the root problem of coral reef ecosystem destruction in Indonesia. Five main human threats to coral reefs, i.e.: toxic fishing, blast fishing, coral reef extraction, sedimentation and pollution, and over fishing although the later does not directly destruct the coral reefs.1
Indonesia’s 17,000 islands forms the world’s largest archipelago with more than 95,000 kilometers of coastline and some 51,000 square kilometers of coral reefs, excluding those not yet mapped, located in isolated places as well as those in deeper sea. If the estimation is correct, that means Indonesia is home to 51% of Southeast Asia’s coral reefs and 18% of the world’s coral reefs.2 The coral reefs in western Indonesia are severely threatened by human activities compared to those in the east. This is supported by field facts of a 1990-1998 survey that revealed a better condition of coral reefs from west to east. The reefs in the western part of Indonesia with good or very good condition (more than 50% live corals coverage) cover only about 23%, while those in the east cover about 45%.3 Over the next 20 years, the economic loss from blast and cyanide fishing may reach US$ 570 million and US$ 46 million respectively.4 Telapak in collaboration with several local NGOs, has conducted field surveys that found many practices of blast and cyanide fishing. Furthermore, Telapak working together with the local communities tries to find better solutions to more environmentally friendly fishing techniques.
Promising Coral Reef
ndonesian fishermen have exploited coral reefs for a long time. Experts stated that every square kilometer of coral reef can yield up to 20,000 – 35,000 tonnes of fish annually, estimated to give livelihood to 400700 people.5 Indonesian coral reefs are estimated to have a value of US$ 5,800 per hectare.6
In tropical countries such as Indonesia, the coral reef ecosystem is closely related to the general marine resources. The ecosystem indirectly functions as a buffer in coastal abrasion and is the habitat for many economically significant marine biota and also serves as spawning, nursery and feeding ground. Marine products are also source of protein for many Indonesians. Indonesian coral reefs are potential source of national income as export commodities through consumption fish, ornamental fish, shell skins, seaweeds, nature-based marine tourism and traditional medicines. The total value can amount to US$ 466 million. Especially for ornamental fish, its export reaches a value of US$ 32 million annually.5
ven with its potentials and great benefits, the ecosystem faces serious threats. One of them is destructive fishing such as cyanide fishing. Several cyanide applications to certain reef colony have proved to be destructive to the reef survival.2
Meanwhile, there is a close relationship between destructive fishing and the fishermen’s low economic level. The needs to catch more fish and increase family income are several reasons why the fishermen take short cut of using toxics to catch more fish. There has been a transformation in fish catching system in several places in Indonesia from traditional means, which are environmentally friendly, to destructive fishing.
Development of Cyanide Fishing in Indonesia
Cyanide fishing was introduced as one method of catching reef fish since early 1980s. At that time, the Philippine fishermen started to enter Indonesian waters to look for ornamental fish not found in their country. They began their operation in North Sulawesi by introducing and teaching the local fishermen about using cyanide. From here, this method of destructive fishing has spread to other parts of Indonesia in line with declining harvest and increasing international market demands especially from Europe and the US. Furthermore, at the end of 1980s, this technique has also been used on consumption fish due to increasing demands from China and Taiwan.
Introduction to Cyanide
Reef fishing using toxics such as organo-phosphate insectice, quinaldine, ichtyocide rotenone and cyanide has long been known.7 Sodium cyanide —one kind of cyanide used—is a kind of toxic in the form of salt that has been used world wide, especially in fumigation, electroplating and mining. The misuse of this chemical in fisheries started around 1960s in the Philippine, where at the time, there was an increase demand for ornamental fish from European and American markets.7 Among the toxic chemicals, cyanide is the most popular in live coral fish catching. Cyanide is mixed with seawater and poured into plastic spray bottle. When the fish are inside the holes between the corals or coral branch, cyanide is then sprayed on the target fish. Cyanide causes fast anesthetization leading to dizziness causing the fish to swim out from its hiding places, thus they can easily be caught.8 Cyanide fishing causes the break down of the fish enzyme system as oxygen metabolizer (cytochrome oxidase) and psychological function of the fish and invertebrates. Cyanide also causes damages in liver network, spleen, heart and brain of fish.9 Cyanide fishing is believed to have caused the death of more than 80% of exported ornamental fish.
ali is nationally and internationally well recognized in the tourism industry. In fact the international world is more familiar with Bali than Indonesia itself. Bali is also famous as the Island of the Gods due to its beautiful scenery and unique traditions. However, Telapak with the local NGOs recognized that the high number of tourists and the good accessibility of the island are not able to compensate for the coral reef destruction rate in the surrounding waters. Bali, in fact, is well known as an island producing ornamental and consumption fish.
B
15
Photographer : M. Taufik Wahab/Telapak Location : Les Beach - Bali 16
The vast overseas demands for ornamental fish has pushed the start of fishing practice through fish anesthetization using cyanide which was introduced by the fishermen from Banyuwangi, East Java. They introduce this destructive method of fishing in several areas in Bali and also become the actors in cyanide fishing along with their coworkers from madura and Lombok. As a result, the Bali fishermen who previously never applied cyanide are now using it. In several areas in the District of Buleleng, such as in the waters near Bali Barat National Park and in the Sub District of Tejakula, many cyanide fishing were found due to high market demands.
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The availability of international airport seems to influence the high demands for ornamental and consumption fish from Bali. This island is also known as the gateway for ornamental and consumption fish from other parts in eastern Indonesia for export purposes. This is supported by the fact that there is an increasing number of ornamental and consumption fish exporters in Bali. Up to the year of 2000, there were at least 50 – 60 legal and illegal exporters in Bali while a decade ago there were only five (Fisheries Service and Bali Quarantine).
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Cyanide fishing also occurs within conservation areas. The water of the Bali Barat National Park on the west tip of Bali is known as one of the places where reef extraction and blast fishing take place. A collaborative observation between Telapak and the local NGOs, suggests that cyanide fishing is practiced on several fishermen villages around the Park, i.e.: Gilimanuk, Banyuwedang Bay, Terima Bay, Lumpur Bay and Pemuteran. The cyanide that they use can easily be bought from construction shops at the nearest town (Singaraja). The high number of cyanide users can also be identified by the high number of
Photographer : M. Imran Amin/Telapak Location : Bajo Indah - Southeast Sulawesi 20
Bajo Indah,
poverty leading to disaster
Historically, the Local Government relocated this village from its original place in Bokori Island – a small island in Kendari Bay. The migration of the Bokori people to this new place caused controversy, because the island was turned into a tourist island. As a result, the local people who are traditional fishermen can no longer utilize
21
Bajo Indah is the name of a village located on the coast of Southeast Sulawesi, in the Sub-District of Soropia, within the District of Kendari. This village is one of the poor villages in this province. Most of the fishermen come from Bajo ethnic group who rely on fishing as their main source of livelihood as fisherman labor and fish collector.
... poverty caused the Bajo Indah people to do everything they can to get out of poverty, including the practice of cyanide fishing ...
Photographer : M. Taufik Wahab/Telapak Location : Bajo Indah - Southeast Sulawesi 22
the surrounding marine resources anymore. Poverty caused the Bajo Indah people to do everything they can to get out of poverty, including the practice of cyanide fishing. The local people were introduced to cyanide fishing in 1991 when some of the local fishermen worked onboard live fish ship from Hongkong. When these ships stopped operating in the waters of Kendari, the fishermen continued such practice. It has been going on even until now (only one group of them has already
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transformed to a better way of catching), causing the coral reef in Kendari Bay to be further damaged. It is now more difficult to get fish in surrounding waters compared to the first time when the technique was applied. Cyanide fishermen have broadened their fishing ground to faraway places such as the Wakatobi waters in the tip of Southeast Sulawesi and Banggai waters in Central Sulawesi. They have to spend two days to one week on the sea to catch fish.
Photographer : Ridzki R. Sigit/Telapak Location : Sembilan Island - South Sulawesi 26
ToxicSea on the Eastern
T
he waters of eastern Indonesia are heaven for fish. The Islands of Maluku are well known as an area with abundant marine resources, as well as a recognized marine tourism destination. Through collaboration with the local NGOs and fishermen communities in Maluku, Telapak has conducted several investigations on cyanide fishing on several islands in the Southeast Maluku – now known as West Southeast Maluku. This group of at least 24 islands has long been known as one of the producing sites for fish and other marine products in Maluku. Together with a local NGO in Tual, Telapak focus their investigation and monitoring activities in Kei Island and Luang Island in the southwest of Southeast Maluku.
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The high biodiversity along with a number of reef islands in Southeast Maluku, have become very attractive for the local as well as overseas investors. The existence of many big fisheries companies and the operations of foreign fishing ships are very common in Southeast Maluku. Unfortunately, the presence of these investors brings some negative impacts on the marine conservation and the economy of
the local traditional fishermen. Most of the fishing companies practice fishing techniques that are not environmentally friendly. Trawl, bomb and cyanide are used in customary fishing ground of the local fishermen. For the fishermen, cyanide fishing has direct impacts on the quantity and quality of sea harvest, such as coral reef destruction and death of seaweeds and shells, while for most of the women, sea products are beyond fish.
cyanide
then, when the local NGOs together with the communities opposed to such practices through the traditional institutions, got the attention from local government. Unfortunately, the issue of
Petuanan is a natural resources management area ruled by the local customary law, which includes both land and sea
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Adjacent to Dulla Laut, is Kei Kecil Island, where cyanide fishing has also experienced some transformation. Previously the activity took place in the afternoon but currently it occurs at night with the help of speedboat, compressor and diving torch. These night divers are
suspected to work for a live fish boss named Hans Sitaneli. This transformation of fish catching is due to an increasing community awareness to protect the surrounding coral reefs by applying sasi 2with secure control and monitoring.
Equipments in Cyanide Fishing
Fishermen get cyanide either by purchasing or supplied by the investors. Most of these toxic chemicals are in the form of tablets. The cyanide tablet is then dissolved with sea water after being crushed. This crushed cyanide is inserted into a small container filled with sea water at certain volume. This solution is placed into a sprayed bottle that will be carried by divers to catch fish. Generally, traditional cyanide fishermen always use:
! Simple diving equipments consisting of diving mask, dive weights and fins. ! Breathing aid equipments: regulator, hose (can reach 40 m), and
compressor located on a boat or ship.
! Fishing equipments consisting of: cyanide spray bottle, small fish scoop,
and closed bucket for fish collection
! Temporary fish collection site on board the boat or fishing ship. 30
Luang Island,
institutional change for a toxic live fish industry
Luang Island is located at the tip of southwest of Southeast Maluku. Its remote location makes it and other surrounding smaller islands almost free from control. Because this cluster of islands produces the greatest sea harvest in Southeast Maluku, therefore it is not surprising that Luang Island was once used as operating area from two fishery companies that collect fish from cyanide fishing. One of the industries even manages to rename its industry under the same operation control. These two fishery companies are PT. Dinamika Bahari Sejahtera (DBS) and CV. Sari Manis. They were driven out of the island due to a conflict with the local communities, although they had approached the local village institutions and traditional chiefs when they first arrived. Coral reef destruction in the traditional fishing ground and the promise of village infrastructure development that never been granted, have caused an opposition from the local communities together with some local NGOs and students from Luang Island to drive both companies out of the island. Although CV. Sari Manis tried to make a come back under a new name,
2
CV. Rimraya Indah. However, the damage done could not stop the local opposition, which again forced the new company to get out from Luang Island. Currently, a local named Jack Miru carries out live fish company in Luang Island. In carrying out his business, he works together with fish trader from Tual named Riky Tamnge. Based on the confession of the local communities, this local company offers a higher price than the previous three companies. Nevertheless, this cannot be regarded as better condition. Even until now, it is difficult to detect whether a fishery company uses cyanide or not in its operation. Therefore monitoring and control are still necessary because this marine area is very vulnerable to destructive fishing industries.
... found a connection between the practice of cyanide fishing and the local social structure. Generally, the social structure consists of Ponggawa, Juragan and Sawi ...
Photographer : Ridzki R. Sigit/Telapak Location : Sembilan Island - South Sulawesi 33
Photographer : M. Imran Amin/Telapak Location : Coral Reef area in Wakatobi Archipelago - Southeast Sulawesi 34
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n the southwest water of South Sulawesi, there is a cluster of small islands known as the Sembilan Island. It consists of nine smaller islands, in accordance with its name that is adopted from Bugis dialect.3 With its unique characteristics, the surrounding waters offer a wealth in marine resources. Sembilan Islands encompass vast coral reef areas, which makes it as one of the production center for reef fish, sea cucumber and lobster.
Together with a local NGO in Makassar, Telapak has conducted monitoring activities on cyanide fishing activities in Sembilan Islands. The monitoring activity is focused on Kambuno Island, which is located in the center of the islands and functions as the capital of the subdistrict. Most of the people in Sembilan Islands rely on the marine resources for their subsistence and livelihood. Especially for Kambuno Island, most of the fishermen have long been practicing diving technique to catch fish, a technique that often use to catch reef fish. This practice-like those observed by Telapak in other places- is closely related to cyanide fishing.
O
Ponggawa, Juragan and Sawi
Ponggawa is an investor in fishing industry in Kambuno. He gives support in the form of capital, supplies necessary equipments and other equipments needed for fish catching. He also supplies packaging as well as other supporting materials including fish collecting place (karamba – basket for raising fish). Juragan is a name for the captain of the fishing boat. He has full responsibility to carry the fishermen to reach target location and bringing home fish harvest to the collection site. After arrival in the collection site, juragan is also responsible for writing down his catch. Sawi is a name for fihermen labour. Generally, sawi are also part of diver team. Inside a fishing boat, there are about 4-5 sawis. For overall catch, there is usually a simple mechanism for profit distribution as follows: ! 25% of overall catch will go to the investors to replace operational costs. ! 75% of overall catch will be evenly divided among ponggawa, juragam and sawi.
Sembilan Archipelago consists of Kantidoang, Larea-rea, La Poi-Poi, Kanalo, Batanglampe, Kodingare, Kambuno, Leang-Leang and Burung Loe Islands.
3
36
In Kambuno Island, Telapak with its local NGO partner found a connection between the practice of cyanide fishing and the local social structure. Generally, the social structure consists of Ponggawa, Juragan and Sawi. From the three structural positions, Ponggawa holds a significant role in every catching activity in Kambuno. Ponggawa is the investor for every fishing activity, such as boat/ship, compressor, diving equipments and operational capital. While Juragan and Sawi are regarded as lower
The biggest portion of the profit obviously goes to Ponggawa, while Sawi has the least profit. Very often Sawis must bear the direct impact of this fishing activity. Generally, Sawis are often in overdue debts to Ponggawa and suffer the direct risks of diving. Information collected by Telapak and its local NGO partner found that there were at least 200 sawi divers who suffered illness due to diving using compressor.
37
........ main activities carried out by Telapak, which is a translation of its vision to crease a just natural resources management.....
Photographer : M. Taufik Wahab/Telapak Location : Les Beach - Bali 38
Intergenerational and Nature Elements
Equity
39
he problems of Indonesian coral reef ecosystem degradation and their direct impacts on the livelihood of the local fishermen, has stimulate Telapak, as a Non Government Organization in environment, to do some improvement efforts. Since it was first established, Telapak has carried out many improvement efforts for Indonesian marine and coasts beginning with the monitoring of cyanide fishing in several places across Indonesia in 1998. These monitoring activities are carried out in collaboration with the local NGOs. In practice, Telapak uses the method of investigation in carrying out its monitoring activities on cyanide fishing. This collaborative monitoring initiative developed by Telapak has resulted in a coordinated network of NGOs for marine and coastal issues (PELA Net). Telapak itself develops a monitoring program in destructive fishing known as ProMOLA (Marine Monitoring Program).
T
Photographer : M. Imran Amin/Telapak Location : Sembilan Island - South Sulawesi 40
For the next step, still in collaboration with local NGOs in several places, Telapak has also done various field assistances to cyanide users as part of Telapak’s initiative to ensure better fish catching activities from the lowest level. Telapak has also been facilitating in opening market opportunities for cyanide-free fish through a number of trainings for traditional fishermen. Telapak believes that the only way there will ever be any change is by transforming the actors of such practice into the main actors leading the reform. Follows are some main activities carried out by Telapak, which is a translation of its vision to crease a just natural resources management, both for intergeneration and nature elements.
In 2001, the local traditional fishermen agreed to form a group of cyanide-free fishermen by the name of Mina Bhakti Soansari. Telapak/YBN has facilitated this fishermen group to do coral transplantation to restore the coral reef conditions which have been degraded. Currently, Mina Bhakti Soansari is able to develop an ecotourism activity in collaboration with a dive operator tour in Denpasar. Furthermore, this group has also started marketing cyanide-free ornamental fish
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independently by establishing an export company in ornamental fish by the name of PT. Bahtera LEStari. The company has managed to do its first export in 2003. This development has made the Les fishermen known to the private sectors, local and central government, even international institutions. However, this is not the end of a success. The strength of the local people has become the main pre-requisite so that they can have firm bargaining power to deal with new things
introduced to them. Therefore they will not be easily persuaded by numerous opportunities that sometimes are not in line with their needs and expectations.
Towards
Integrated Coastal and Marine Management
in Sembilan Islands
Similar to other places, Telapak has recognized Sembilan Islands through activity such as monitoring of cyanide fishing. In collaboration with BLPM Lakpesdam, a local NGO in Makassar, Telapak started field assistance activities and organizing the local cyanide user.
Telapak/Lakpesdam has also facilitated the visits of traditional fishermen from Les Village in Bali to this island as a media to share experiences among the fishermen who once were cyanide users. It is expected that the local fishermen would learn
the cost-benefit of cyanide fishing. There is also an opportunity for cooperation in the future between the two fishermen groups. This way, there is at least an effort to manage marine resources independently. Telapak/Lakpesdam has also conducted trainings in environmentally friendly fishing techniques in this island. This activity began in December 2003 and has received positive feedbacks from the local communities. Following such activities of reorganization, fishermen visit, and training of environmentally friendly fishing techniques, Telapak/Lakpesdam has also facilitated coral transplantation by the local fishermen to improve coral reef ecosystem condition, which in the near future will be followed by facilitating Integrated Coastal and Small Island Management involving every stakeholder in the Sembilan Islands.
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PT. Bahtera LEStari Profile
PT Bahtera Lestari is a main intervention in ornamental fish industry that is a successful example of a collaborative initiative between: 1. Bahtera Nusantara Foundation, an NGO located in Denpasar- Bali established in 1999, 2. PROMOLA, an NGOs networking group for destructive fishing issues in Indonesia, started since 1998 and coordinated by Telapak, an NGO located in Bogor, and 3. “Coral Reef Restoration and Establishment of Sustainable, Community-Based Ornamental Fish Business” funded by GEF-SGP, started in June 2002. PT. Bahtera LEStari integrates several objectives and interests of the stakeholders of ornamental fishing industry. Its main concern is to facilitate the needs and interests of Les Village communities that are involved in the industry, represented by the fishermen group of ornamental fish, Mina Bhakti Soansari . The objectives of PT. Bahtera Lestari in line with the objectives of the fishermen group are as follows: 1. To improve the welfare of the local ornamental fish fishermen 2. To provide a legal basis for community-based ornamental fish business, and 3. To preserve the marine ecosystem especially coral reefs. PT Bahtera LEStari offers a unique position because it supports the involvement of all the stakeholders between fishermen communities and the local leaders in Les Village. The establishment of this company was done through several meetings and social works among the fishermen, fish collectors (juragan), village chiefs, local leaders, village administrators, NGOs activists, business experts and consultants. As a result, it was then decided to establish an ornamental fish exporter company, the company holdings as well as its business plan. The legal process took place in December 2002 through a notary public, John K. Mulya, in Denpasar (Notarial Document No.: 105, dated 19 December 2002). This company is also complemented with Tax Obligatory Number (NPWP:02.217.737.2-903.000) on January 27, 2003. PT Bahtera LEStari works in three different fields: ornamental fish exporter, marine ecotourism, and management consultant for coastal and marine management. These three fields were developed based on the strength of the company in managing coast and marine resources, as well as its strength of being a community-based company. Ornamental Fish Industry The fishermen in LES village are very important ornamental fish producers in Indonesia. There are at least 30 companies of ornamental fish exporters in Bali that are all dependent on the fish supply from more than 100 fishermen in LES village. This shows one of the strength of PT Bahtera LEStari in their production capacity. The fishermen in LES village collect ornamental fish from their surrounding waters as well as in other areas in Sulawesi, Lombok, Bima and Flores. These various collection sites have assured the position of PT. Bahtera LEStari as an important ornamental fish exporter due to its access to different types of ornamental fish. PT. Bahtera LEStari is currently in the process of expanding its network to other ornamental fish fishermen by replicating the model developed in LES village. This is an elegant approach to assure a sustainable supply of fish to the company, if for any reasons, the LES fishermen were not able to supply enough fish. In every fishing place, PT. Bahtera LSEtari has developed a community based management system, where it develops fishing area, prohibited fishing area and rehabilitation area, along with monitoring and enforcement of local policies. This is one of the company’s objectives to produce fish catch from a healthy and a healthier coral reef ecosystem. PT. Bahtera LEStari is the first export company
44
that produces cyanide-free ornamental fish, which have not been followed by other companies. It has a mission of producing only environmental friendly products, fish from areas that are well managed, according to international standard of fishing. PT. Bahtera LEStari achieved this objective after two years of research, planning, training, and business development. This initiative was taken based on the fact that cyanide fishing- which obviously has negative impacts on the environment - still dominating fish catching techniques in Indonesia and other areas in Asia-Pacific. The system developed by PT. Bahtera LEStari has contributed to lessen the pressure on the marine ecosystem and make better profits economically.
Photographer : Ridzki R. Sigit/Telapak Location : Kendari - Southeast Sulawesi 45
... the establishment of strong fishermen organizations is expected to broaden fishermen participation in local and national coastal and marine policies ...
coastal and marine management policies
ince it was first established, Telapak has been active in doing concerted efforts towards a just marine resource management. The current unjust management of marine resources occurs due to lack of integrated policies, which should be built on the involvement of all the stakeholders especially the local communities who rely on the presence of the resources. The present policies are only concerned with gaining biggest profits for certain groups. There is no overarching policy for coastal and marine resources management in Indonesia. As a result, marine resources exploitation has gone very intensively without consideration
Nevertheless, this political will of the government would mean nothing without the support of some legal measures in the forms of regulations and policies. Telapak has been assisting the new department and monitoring the process of developing new policies to assure that the process is transparent and participative and the policies will not derail from its
ultimate goal, which is a just marine resources management. In doing so, Telapak in collaboration with other NGO network for marine issues (PELA Net) and Indigenous People Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) have conducted public consultation process for the legal measures developed in every province in Indonesia.
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stakeholders in various areas to allow them to have understanding and ability to carry out an integrated management. This training involves the local communities as planners and organizers. To date, this program has conducted five trainings followed by the development of a simple plan on coastal and marine management in areas including: the District of Sumenep, Sembilan Island Sub-District in South Sulawesi, Tejakula Sub-District in Bali, Penajam Sub-District in East Kalimantan and Bojonegoro SubDistrict in Banten.
Extending Participation of Fishermen in Coastal and Marine Policies
Lessons learned from working with communities on coastal and marine issues have brought Telapak to further facilitate public participation on these issues. Within the last three years, Telapak has initiated and developed a movement of fishermen to fight for their survival and needs. This is based on the understanding that a change in the fishermen lives could only be achieved if the fishermen themselves were able to survive on their own and not dependent on other groups. Telapak has been working on this through its own program activities as well as network, such as the PELA Net and Indonesian People’s Forum (IPF). The establishment of strong fishermen organizations is expected to broaden fishermen participation in local and national coastal and marine policies.
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One of the necessary activities in the framework of CBCRM-ICM is a series of trainings for field implementation.