Sustainable resource management in the Octopus Fishing Community in Banggai Regency / Komunitas Nelayan Gurita di Kabupaten Banggai (Indonesia)

 

 

The community and local perspectives on conservation and stewardship

 

The octopus fishing community in Uwedikan Village (East Luwuk District, Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi Province) is mostly fishermen from the Bajo tribe. The main activity of fishermen in the village is catching octopus and other types of reef fish. The fishing profession is not only carried out by men, but also by women. Since the 1990s fishermen in this area started catching octopus, but at that time the octopus had no economic value. It was only in the 2000s that the octopus had a better price and fishermen started selling it to collectors at the village level. Apart from octopus, reef fishing is also the main livelihood of fishers in this village.

 

Conservation is very important for fishermen in managing their marine resources. Actually, for the Bajo fishing community, they have practiced what it means to preserve and protect the sea through traditional wisdom. Because they have a living dependence on marine resources, they realize that if the sea is damaged, then there is no longer a source of life. However, within recent decades, the community’s wisdom in treating the sea began to disappear, and at the same time they were introduced to destructive fishing methods such as the use of bombs, drugs, and destructive fishing gear. Now the fishing community is again starting to realize the reality that the destruction of marine resources makes life very difficult. So, the conservation and management of marine resources is seen to be very important. 

 

Stewardship experience: Environmental Conservation and Management is the Foundation for Future Fisheries Improvement.

 

The issue or problem being addressed

Destructive fishing in the past such as using bombs, anesthetics, and destructive fishing gear has caused damage to coral reefs. This has led to a decline in the population of octopus which is one of the main catches for the fishing community. 

Sustainability of local fisheries is very important for communities as it is their main source of livelihood. However, because the condition of marine resources in many locations where fishing takes place is damaged, it is important to raise awareness to the fishing community about environmental problems, for the sake of their future generations.

 

The activities

The fishing community in Banggai Regency formed a management team to protect their marine area. However, this method is still in the process of being recognized by the government at the district, provincial and national levels. The scheme carried out is by way of partnership with the community and the Japesda Association (Perkumpulan Japesda).

 

The benefits/impacts including sustainability/environmental effects

In the octopus fishing community we have intervened, we have not yet implemented a temporary closure so we are unable at this time to measured the impact. Emphasizing the importance of sustainable livelihoods is the first main focus for the octopus fishing community. That way, the awareness and reason to repair the damaged environment gets the attention of the fishing community.

 

The success and significance of the activities

The fishing community previously caught octopuses of all sizes or weights. However, after collecting data on octopuses for one year, fishermen began to understand how important it is to choose size, weight, gender, the catch location, and to use selective fishing gear. Data collection is an essential basis for managing coral reefs, and help to ensure the sustainability of marine resources and the community’s future income.

 

Some lessons learned or words of wisdom

Traditional practices and local wisdom in managing marine resources are important lessons that can be revitalized and re-applied for fishing communities.

 

“In practice, conservation has actually been carried out by the fishing community since time immemorial, it’s just that the term “conservation” later came as a new term. Traditional practices and local wisdom in treating the sea are conservation practices that need to be revived.”

 

For more information on this project, visit: https://blog.blueventures.org/en/sharing-octopus-knowledge-its-fun-and-its-virtual/

 

 

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Fishery Facts

(Below are the applicable categories of fisheries, environment, species, gear type and livelihood role.)

 

Fishery characteristics:

• Marine capture fishery (e.g. nearshore/coastal/reef-based/deep sea)
• Commercial fishery 
• Subsistence fishery
• Multi-species 

The environment where fishing takes place: 

• Coastal – Nearshore / Coral

Main species targeted:

• Molluscs (including bivalves and cephalopods – e.g. octopus/clams)

Gear types/ methods used:

• The octopus fishing gear is the artificial bait and speargun

Role of the fishery in local livelihoods:

• Main source of employment