Authors: Hellen Nanlohy (Unpatti) & Noverica Widjojo (WWF-Indonesia)

Kour Yatuna Hamlet, is a coastal hamlet that the Land Team and I visited today (5/11) while conducting a rapid survey in Jerusu Village on Romang Island. The main livelihoods of the residents of Kour Yatuna Hamlet are corn; coconut; and honey farmers, during the west wind season or strong wind season. If it has entered the transitional season or calm season like today, Kour Yatuna residents begin to carry out fishing activities.

Although being a fisherman is an alternative livelihood, Kour Yatuna residents are very concerned about the condition of the sea and their catch. When we conducted a quick survey through a forum discussion group (FGD) at the location, many residents told us that since 1986, the amount of marine and coastal catches - especially sea cucumbers and lola - they get is getting smaller. The size is also getting smaller. In fact, in this hamlet, sasi or customary regulations prohibiting the harvesting of sea cucumbers and lola have been in place for a long time. Not only that, according to them, many coral reefs around the waters of Kour Yatuna Hamlet have also been damaged due to fish bombing carried out by fishermen from outside the Southwest Maluku region.

But among all the outpourings of the residents of Kour Yatuna Village, we think the most interesting is the story of the 'meti' land lease system for marine and coastal areas carried out by the Jerusu Village Government (Pemdes). The duration of the 'meti' land lease is valid for 3-4 months and the tenant is allowed to take and utilize the catch, especially shrimp. Other marine products, such as fish, crabs and sea cucumbers, are not allowed to be caught. Ironically, the 'methi' land lease is only valid for fishermen from outside Southwest Maluku.

According to the monitoring results of the local community, even though it is prohibited, the tenants of the 'methi' land still take some marine products other than shrimp. This condition is of course very detrimental to the people of Kour Yatuna Hamlet. Not only socially because they are bound to and respect the sasi system that applies in their area, but also economically, where when sasi is open, residents are allowed to take and sell their catches to buyers, the majority of whom also come from outside Southwest Maluku. Although they have asked the Jerusu village government to stop this land lease, the system is still running.