By: Faridz R. Fachri (Fisheries Business Officer, WWF-Indonesia)

Kub Usaha Bersama (KUB) Cahaya is a women's group initiated by WWF-Indonesia as one of the steps to increase the role of women towards conservation in Kei Kecil Small Island Park (TPK), Southeast Maluku Regency. One of the commitments held by KUB Cahaya in carrying out its business activities is to utilize raw materials obtained by means of environmentally friendly fishing practices. In addition, the business run by KUB Cahaya also focuses on the educational element of marine conservation which is disseminated to family members and local residents, with the main target being the younger generation as future successors.

KUB Cahaya's journey has not always been smooth. Loss of motivation, difficulty in coming together and working as a group, and the lack of a strong business sense were issues that had to be addressed in order to achieve the common goal. Achieving a constant and sustainable level of production is a good start. The spirit towards better achievements began to emerge and develop when KUB Cahaya was invited to attend the final round of the "Fishery Product Innovation Competition" organized by the Directorate General of Strengthening the Competitiveness of Marine and Fishery Products of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG PDSPKP KKP) on 30 October - 1 November 2015 in Bandung. After selecting 180 formulas of processed fishery products from all over Indonesia, only 21 formulas were entitled to appear in the final round, including the products created by KUB Cahaya.

The product created by KUB Cahaya, namely "KRISTELA", is a pastry made by combining local raw materials - namely enbal - with fishery raw materials of known origin (traceability), such as kotoni seaweed, cultivated by local communities; and puri (anchovy) fish caught in a bagan. This innovation was awarded by the Directorate General of PDSPKP as the 'Favorite Champion', after judging by nutrition experts, chefs, food researchers, and entrepreneurs. This news is very encouraging, considering that KUB Cahaya is the only representative from Maluku Province and one of two participants from Eastern Indonesia, competing with representatives from other parts of Indonesia. The most important thing about this achievement is the increased motivation, as well as the process of learning directly with other more advanced groups so that it can be applied in the group.

Appreciation is indeed needed in increasing enthusiasm, performance and productivity at work. It is a great hope and aspiration for KUB Cahaya that their contribution to the existence of the Kei Kecil TPK conservation area can be tangibly felt, especially in terms of conservation education; sustainable fisheries business development through #beliyangbaik; and reducing the pressure on the coastline due to 'bameti' activities.

As additional information, 'bameti' is an activity on the shoreline when the sea is low tide by prying and picking (hand picking) for shellfish and snails commodities, which is mostly carried out by women. Bameti is one of the local wisdoms that must be preserved. However, in practice, there are limits that need to be considered related to utilization that does not damage nature, as well as the maximum limit of natural resources that can be utilized as a form of anticipation of stock decline in nature.

With the existence of community groups such as KUB Cahaya, it is hoped that it can not only support the reduction of this pressure, but also be an initial change in the management of 'bameti' that is more sustainable.