Sasi in Maluku: An ancient tradition to protect natural resources

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – wWaves gently crash silently into the estuary where the river meets the beach at Negeri Haruku on Haruku Island, Central Maluku Regency. The waves gently weave over four motorboats moored on the shore. On Monday, November 11, 2024, low waves broke around speedboats returning from Tulehu Harbor in Ambon, Maluku, about a 30-minute speedboat ride from Haruku.

For the residents of Negeri (village) Haruku, the last quarter of the year is the most awaited as the customary leaders will normally announce the opening Saxons. Saxons it is a tradition passed down through generations, prohibiting anyone from harvesting natural resources during a certain period. Tradition is meant to protect natural resources and environment, including the sea and coastal areas.

In Negeri Haruku, the community practices sassi lompareferring to lopa over (Thryssa baelama) that gather at the harbor. When the chassis is up – usually just for a day – the community is allowed to catch the fish. However, once the sasi lompa is put back, no one is allowed to fish.

Eliza Kissya, the boss Kewang— a Maluku customary institution tasked with conserving the environment, especially customary territories and waters — in Negeri Haruku, explained that the sasi lompa aims to maintain the lompa fish population and protect them from overfishing. The residents of Negeri Haruku strictly follow the Saxon rules. “We don’t want our sea to be damaged or its resources to be depleted,” Eliza, 75, said.

Illegal fishing is a serious problem in Indonesia’s eastern waters. At the end of October 2024, the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police reported four cases of illegal fishing in their waters. According to police, the perpetrators used fish bombs to loot marine resources.

An investigative report of Tempo in collaboration with Jaring.id revealed that several foreign fishing vessels banned during the tenure of former Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti have returned to sea. These vessels were previously subject to a fishing license moratorium due to extensive fish poaching.

Eliza shared that the sassi tradition in her area has been practiced for decades. During this time, he never witnessed reckless fishing such as using fish bombs. He believes that the implementation of sasi has significantly preserved the marine ecosystem in Negeri Haruku.

An indicator of its success is the abundant arrival of lompa fish during the sasi relaxation, signaling the community’s opportunity to fish. “This is the tangible impact of sasi on our marine ecosystem,” said Eliza, who was a member of the Archipelago Indigenous People’s Alliance (AMAN) from 2007 to 2012.

According to Eliza, sasi starts when mature lompa fish ready to spawn appear near Haruku’s coast, usually from April to May. When the fish migration begins, Eliza raises wooden stakes wrapped in young coconut leaves at the estuary, marking the beginning of sasi lompa.