Author: Nara Wisesa (WWF-Indonesia)

Jerusu Village is the center of the Romang Island Sub-district Government. This sub-district has just been established so that supporting government infrastructure is not yet available. Jerusu village is also the main village for three hamlets, namely Akualu, Kour Yatuna, and Rumah Kuda. Apart from Jerusu, there are two other villages on Romang Island, namely Hila Village and Solat Village, where the majority of the population comes from Kisar Island.

When the Land Team arrived, the beach in front of Jerusu Village was covered in coral and the tide was receding, making it difficult for the speedboat to find a way in. The beach of Jerusu Village is also protected by a seawall to prevent abrasion caused by waves. According to locals, during the eastern season, the waves in this area are quite strong.

An important fact that we learned when entering this village is that the person who is allowed to become the village head (Kades) of Jerusu is a direct descendant of the royal family. Currently, the function of the king's position is also held by the village head.

Many Jerusu villagers make their living as lading farmers or gardeners, who can occasionally go to sea or become fishermen, if needed. Captured fish are difficult to sell or market, so catching fish is still more of an activity to fulfill the daily diet. It just so happens that now that the rainy season is approaching, villagers rarely or even do not go to sea and focus on preparing their respective fields and gardens.

In Jerusu Village, the Land Team divided themselves into two groups, namely Team A - consisting of Nara and Vero (WWF-Indonesia) and Igna and Hakim (KKP) - and Team B which went to collect data in Kour Yatuna Hamlet.

The process of focus group discussions and rapid mapping in Jerusu Village went quite well. The number of participants present was quite optimal, around 11 people, although the conversation was dominated by men. However, on the sidelines of the focus group discussion there was a man who claimed to be from the district legislature, who spoke quite vocally, making the other discussion participants less active.

While the focus group discussion process in Jerusu Village was underway, Team B still had to travel a considerable distance on foot to Kour Yatuna Hamlet.

Kour Yatuna Hamlet is one of the hamlets under Jerusu Village. Team B who took social and fisheries data in this hamlet were Hellen (Unpatti), Novi (WWF-Indonesia), Budi (KKP), and Niar (IPB). They found one interesting thing in this hamlet, which is that most of the residents of Kour Yatuna are forest honey producers. The members of the Land Team bought quite a lot of the wild honey products to take home. Count on it, this purchase can support the progress of local small businesses.

Because Team B traveled quite a distance to this hamlet on foot, when they finished taking data, they were picked up directly by the fast boat that had been boarded by Team A. On the way back to Seven Seas together, the Land Team encountered a group of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) playing in the current area in the waters between Jerusu Village and Kour Yatuna Hamlet. Amazing!