Author: Nara Wisesa (WWF-Indonesia)

The team departed from the ship at around 08.00 WIT to Wetang Island, with the main objective of Rumah Lewang Besar Village. However, just like the previously visited islands, the 'methi' area in front of the village was very difficult to access with relatively large and dense coral rocks. After some circling, the team reluctantly decided to cancel the visit to Rumah Lewang Village and move south in search of a more accessible settlement. Fortunately, about two kilometers to the south, the team found a beach with a few fishing boats and the 'methi' area looked more passable. The team then decided to descend to the village.

It turned out that even though there was a canal leading to the village, the very low water conditions still made it difficult for the fast boat boarded by the Land Team to dock. The team had to disembark and walk through the shallows until they reached the shore. The shallows around the village were dominated by small, newly grown branching Acropora. However, at some points there was damage caused by boats or human activity. The team was welcomed by the Chairman of the Village Consultative Body (BPD) and escorted to the home of the Village Head of Wasarili Village.

It turns out that Wasarili Village is divided into two settlements, namely the upper village, which is located further into the forest with people who focus on gardening, and the lower village, which is located closer to the coast with many of its residents fishing. The village's main source of income and commodity is neither gardening nor fishing, but the production of sopi coconut, a traditional alcoholic drink commonly consumed by locals during traditional events.

Fishermen in the lower village catch fish for their daily needs. But when the fishing season is plentiful, the fish caught is often also sold to neighboring villages. Seaweed cultivation in this village is also less successful because the seaweed cultivated is often eaten by fish. Only the cultivation of the Village Secretary (Sekdes) of Wasarili, which is located in the south of the village, is quite successful.

Sasi is applied in this village only for lola and batulaga commodities, with the 'meti' area affected by sasi also divided based on the five 'soa' or clan groups found in the village. Two years ago, it was common to see migrants from outside Maluku stealing lola and batulaga commodities, and bombing corals for fish. But since the incident in Mdona Hyera regarding the sinking of a ship and the shooting dead of three people from outside the region who stole marine resources sasi and coral bombing, there are currently no more people from both inside and outside the Southwest Maluku region who dare to steal fish or bomb corals in the waters of Wetang Island.

Electricity in this village is still problematic because the Solar Power Plant (PLTS) that was built has started to break down. Of the two motorboats in the village, only one is still functioning. Fortunately, water in this village is not a problem, because there are six wells with plenty of water. In fact, four of them are freshwater wells, with the other two being brackish water wells. During their time in the village, the Land Team also saw many domesticated pigs roaming freely within the village and along the coast.

Access from this village to neighboring villages can be reached by motorcycle taxi. It is even possible to reach neighboring villages on the eastern side of the island by road by crossing the hill. In the west season, people will switch to fishing on the east side of the island which is more protected from the waves.