Destructive fishing and Togean Islands coral<\/p>\n
Fachruddin Majeri Mangunjaya, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
We set off for a Bajau village on Kabalutan island, Palu from the
\nport of Ampana, on Sulawesi's eastern peninsula. The journey was
\nexhausting, but the still, clear waters of the Togean islands --
\nwhich Kabalutan is among -- was compensation enough.
\n The wooden houses of the Bajau people are roofed with palm
\nleaves and built on stilts over the water. While each house has
\nits own yard, the boundaries between them are often unclear.<\/p>\n
The village has a population of approximately 2000, or 250
\nfamilies, whose livelihoods depend on fishing. Kabalutan island
\nis an offshore reef no more than three hectares in size. It is
\nvery hard to find fresh water there, which is mostly brought in
\nfrom other islands, and vegetation comprises a couple of palm
\ntrees.<\/p>\n
Fishing is the main source of revenue for the village. The
\nBajau traditionally dive for fish, but also catch them by
\ntrawling out at sea.<\/p>\n
However, in recent times, some fishermen have employed other
\nmethods -- which are harmful to the environment -- to catch fish,
\nincluding the use of explosives and potassium cyanide.<\/p>\n
\"Cyanide fishing\" has become popular with the increased trade
\nof napoleon and grouper fish, which must be caught alive. The
\nfish are transported to Palu to be exported to Hong Kong.<\/p>\n
The fish are briefly intoxicated before being revived, but the
\npoison also kills coral, as well as plankton (microorganisms
\neaten by small fish) in the vicinity of its use.<\/p>\n
\"The poison may harm the environment within a one kilometer
\nradius,\" said Khairul Anwar, a marine biologist with Conservation
\nInternational Indonesia (CI), during a field visit to Kabalutan
\nIsland at the end of last September.<\/p>\n
Such harmful practices have allegedly been used in the area
\nsince the 1980s.
\n Mahmud, 45, explained that it was harder than ever to make a
\nliving. Fifteen years ago he could catch 20 kilograms to 25
\nkilograms of fish every time he went out to sea. \"Before our
\ncatch was always sufficient, but now it isn't even enough to
\ncover our costs,\" said the fisherman, who is also a teacher at
\nAl-Khairat Islamic School.<\/p>\n
He said that he used to fish just once a week, and spent the
\nrest of the week teaching. His income from fishing was a lot more
\nthan the salary of a public servant of III C class (on an average
\nof Rp 1.2 million per month).<\/p>\n
Now, he has to fish every night to make ends meet. \"We cannot
\neven catch sea cucumbers, let alone fish,\" he complained.<\/p>\n
Guru Mahmud, a fisherman, has dedicated his life to teaching
\nreligion. Some 100 students attend his dirt-floored school.<\/p>\n
But his students can no longer afford the donation of Rp 1,000
\na month, which they had previously given him to teach.<\/p>\n
\"I don't mind if they can't pay, as long as I can still go out
\nto sea,\" Guru said. Classes are held in the afternoon while he
\nfishes at night to make a living.<\/p>\n
He is thankful that people are now aware of the damage done by
\ncertain fishing methods. Fishermen of several villages have
\nstarted to make efforts to save the Togean islands. \"If we cannot
\novercome the problem, future generations will suffer. Where could
\nthey go to find fish?\" Mahmud said.<\/p>\n
A number of fishermen have established associations to curtail
\ndestructive fishing activities. The initiative started with the
\nestablishment of a Marine Conservation Area (DPL) by the people.
\nIts management, as well as sanctions for violators, are
\nstipulated under village regulations (PERDES).<\/p>\n
The conservation area in accompanied by another in Kilat Bay.<\/p>\n
\"We hope that such community efforts will set an example for
\nothers, so that the conservation areas expand,\" said
\nChristoverius Hutabarat, M.Si., program manager of CI in Palu.<\/p>\n
The CI has been working on community empowerment in the area
\nfor several years and within Indonesia for seven.<\/p>\n
Guru Mahmud explained that religion prohibits the destruction
\nof the land and sea by humans.
\n \"I am just a regular line fisherman, I don't use bombs. Their
\nlives are no better than mine. I have enough food. I also smoke
\nlike them. In fact, they face risks -- some of them were hurt in
\nan explosion, which they set off,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Fachruddin Majeri Mangunjaya is an environmental journalist with
\nConservation International Indonesia. He can be contacted at
\nfmangunjaya@conservation.org<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/destructive-fishing-and-togean-islands-coral-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}