Sustainable octopus fisheries with Berkat Kuitta Onus Cooperative / Koperasi Berkat Kuitta Onus (Indonesia)

 

 

The organization and local perspectives on conservation and stewardship

 

The “Berkat Kuitta Onus” cooperative originated from a merger of 3 groups of Bajo Tribe fishermen (in Popisi Village, North Banggai District, Banggai Laut Regency) and was established at the end of 2019. This organization is the first legal entity representing the cooperative of Bajo Tribe Fishermen to be established in Banggai Regency. The main marine commodity that is utilized by fishermen who are members of this cooperative is octopus. Cooperative members consist of fishermen of all ages, both young and old. The people of Popisi Village, both members of the cooperative, fishermen from other groups, as well as the village government, have collaborated to manage the marine area by recording catch data and limiting fishing time at the octopus fishing location to ensure the sustainability of resources and to optimize the catch.

 

The concept of environmental preservation and maintenance was initially seen as something uncommon by the village community, because the resources that are still sufficient have not made the concept of conservation and maintenance a concern to think about. However, after collectively gathering data on the catch of octopus, the community and fisher groups understand the importance of conservation, both in terms of the resource itself and the environment in which these resources live. That the environment is well maintained will ensure the sustainability of the resources they use, and some of them feel they have to take responsibility for it.

 

Stewardship experience: use of capture data to realize local management of marine areas

 

The issue or problem being addressed

Octopus fisheries are still not well documented. There is not enough data available to realize an octopus fishery that is free from IUU fishing (illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing), let alone all sustainability issues. Governments from the local, regional, and even national levels are still unable to formulate a good octopus fishery management plan due to lack of data. In addition, the involvement of coastal communities as actors in fisheries resource management in the past has not been maximal.

 

The activities

Data collection on octopus has been carried out by fishermen groups since 2017. The data obtained has been analyzed and has been provided to policy makers at both local and national levels, so that they can be used as a basis for optimal octopus fishery management. In addition, community involvement in fisheries management is getting better after the regulations of the village head on community-based marine area management plans was validated and supported by policy stakeholders.

 

The benefits/impacts including sustainability/environmental effects

The benefits of this activity include providing a detailed description of fisheries activities for specific commodities, so that further management steps can be better adapted to the conditions of the local community and marine areas. Also, this information on local fisheries is valuable so that the sustainable use of resources can be carried out consciously, independently and effectively by the community itself. Though we have not yet reached that point, if implementation of the community-based marine area management plans goes well, this will absolutely have a larger positive impact on local biodiversity and the environment.

 

The success and significance of the activities

After successfully being involved in managing the octopus fishery in an environmentally friendly manner, the fishermen group formed a cooperative to support the sustainability of this fishery while improving the welfare of its members. This is very important as a model for fishing communities in other villages to be more interested in doing the same thing, so that the realization of a strong and empowered fishing community will be easier to achieve.

 

Some lessons learned or words of wisdom

Whether you realize it or not, fishing communities are supposed to be the most prosperous communities in Indonesia, if you work hard and are patient. 

This example of preservation is still ongoing, the hope is that it can immediately enter the national level so that it can be replicated in other areas that are in need. 

Local management of marine areas by local communities is important to be realized to ensure sustainable fisheries activities, and social empowerment.

 

 

 

For more information, visit: https://lini.or.id/locations/banggai/community-based-octopus-fishery-conservation/ 

 

 

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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)

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:

• Handline with artificial bait
• Beach harvest/gleaning (e.g. collection of shellfish/algae/mangrove crabs etc.)

Role of the fishery in local livelihoods:

• Main source of employment
• Full-time