Editor’s note: This is the fifth post in our theme for April 2025, The City Aquatic. For additional entries in the series, see here.
By Fendy Tulodo
In the vast archipelago of Indonesia, Maluku stands as a region shaped by both its turbulent history and its deep connection to the sea. Once the epicenter of the global spice trade, these islands attracted European explorers, merchants, and colonizers eager to control the lucrative flow of nutmeg and cloves. Yet, beyond its historical role in shaping global commerce, Maluku’s true story lies in the lives of its coastal communities—fishermen who have depended on the tides for centuries.
For the people of Maluku, the ocean is not just a resource—it is a way of life, a cultural foundation, and a spiritual force. Traditional fishing techniques, passed down through generations, serve as a link between past and present. Among these traditions is sasi, a community-enforced marine law that restricts fishing in designated areas to allow resources to replenish. While effective for centuries, its place in modern legal frameworks remains uncertain. Alongside sasi, the handcrafted wooden kole-kole boats symbolize an intricate balance between nature and human survival.
However, as globalization, climate change, and industrial fishing reshape the region, these traditions face an uncertain future, particularly as younger generations migrate to urban centers like Ambon and Ternate, where modern industries offer more stable incomes. Younger generations are leaving their villages in search of economic stability in urban centers. Foreign trawlers and large-scale fishing industries threaten local ecosystems. Rising sea levels and coral reef degradation make sustainable fishing increasingly difficult.
This article explores how Maluku’s fishing communities are navigating these modern challenges, striving to maintain their heritage in the face of economic and environmental pressures.
Traditional Fishing in Maluku: A Community Rooted in the Sea
To understand the relationship between the people of Maluku and the ocean, one must visit the coastal villages and towns like Tual, where fishing is more than just an occupation—it is a cultural identity shaped by both rural traditions and urban influences.
In Morela, a small village on Ambon Island, fishermen practice sasi, an ancient marine conservation system that dictates when and where fishing is allowed. Enforced by local elders, sasi prohibits the harvesting of certain fish species or marine resources for months or even years, allowing populations to regenerate. This system, blending indigenous knowledge with environmental sustainability, has long protected Maluku’s coastal ecosystems from overexploitation.
“Sasi is not just about protecting fish,” explains Pak Agus, a local elder and fisherman. “It teaches us patience and respect for nature. While sasi is traditionally enforced by local elders, recent efforts have sought to integrate it into official marine conservation policies, giving it a stronger legal foundation.”[1]
Beyond conservation, fishing itself remains a communal effort. In the Aru and Tanimbar islands, kole-kole, small wooden boats with colorful sails, are used for both daily fishing trips and ceremonial journeys. Unlike modern motorized boats, kole-kole rely on wind and paddling techniques that have remained unchanged for centuries. This traditional way of fishing ensures minimal environmental impact and fosters a close connection between the fisherman and the sea.
However, these long-standing traditions are now under threat. The rise of industrial fishing operations and illegal trawling has drastically reduced fish stocks, forcing local fishermen to venture further into deeper and more dangerous waters. Additionally, the economic instability of small-scale fishing is pushing many young people to leave their villages, causing a gradual decline in traditional knowledge. In Ambon, for example, many former fishing families now seek work in transportation, tourism, or port services, shifting away from their maritime heritage. This transition, while offering economic alternatives, also accelerates the disconnection between younger generations and traditional fishing practices.
Globalization has introduced new opportunities for Maluku’s fishermen—better access to markets, improved infrastructure, and increased tourism. However, it has also brought new challenges, disrupting traditional ways of life:
1. Market Dependency & Price Volatility
The Challenges of Globalization: Boon or Bane?
Traditionally, fishing in Maluku was for local consumption and barter trade. Today, fishermen sell their catch to middlemen who distribute it across national and international markets. While this offers potential economic growth, it also exposes fishermen to unstable global fish prices.
- When demand for certain fish species surges, local fishermen face pressure to overfish, disrupting traditional conservation practices like sasi.
- When prices drop, many fishermen struggle to make a living, leading some to abandon their trade altogether.[2]
“The price of fish is no longer in our hands,” says Heri, a fisherman from Ternate.[3] “One day, we earn enough. The next, it’s nothing.”
2. Competition from Commercial Fisheries
Foreign and industrial fishing fleets, equipped with modern technology, are depleting Maluku’s fish stocks at an unsustainable rate. Unlike traditional fishing, which allows for gradual replenishment, these trawlers use large-scale netting techniques that capture everything in their path—including juvenile fish and endangered species.
- Local fishermen report seeing fewer fish in their traditional fishing grounds, forcing them to travel farther into the open sea.
- Industrial fishing ignores sasi regulations, exploiting the very resources that local communities have carefully managed for centuries.
3. The Influence of Tourism
Tourism has reshaped Maluku’s economy, especially in places like Banda Neira and Kei Islands, where pristine beaches and seafood attract visitors from around the world. In urban centers such as Ambon, rising tourist demand has driven up seafood prices, making it harder for local residents to afford the very fish they have relied on for generations. While this has created new jobs and increased income, it has also led to unintended consequences:
- Rising seafood prices: As tourists are willing to pay more for fresh fish, local communities find that the very food they have relied on for generations is now increasingly expensive.
- Cultural shifts: Younger generations, influenced by urban culture and the promise of stable jobs in hospitality or tourism, are turning away from fishing as a profession.
“Tourists love our beaches and our seafood,” says Rina, a local shop owner in Banda Neira, “but they don’t see how it’s changing life for us. Our children don’t want to fish anymore; they want to work in hotels or leave for the cities.”[4]
Climate Change: A Silent Threat to Tradition
Beyond economic and cultural shifts, climate change poses an existential threat to Maluku’s fishing communities.
- Rising Sea Levels & Coastal Erosion
- Coastal villages, once safe from flooding, are now being swallowed by the rising tides. Entire communities are being forced to relocate inland, away from their traditional fishing areas.
- Coral Reef Degradation
- Coral reefs, which serve as breeding grounds for many fish species, are dying due to rising ocean temperatures and pollution. This directly affects fish populations, making it harder for fishermen to sustain their livelihoods.
- Unpredictable Weather Patterns
- Storms have become stronger and more frequent, making small-scale fishing riskier than ever. Many fishermen now hesitate to go out to sea, fearing the unpredictable conditions.
For fishermen like Budi from the Kei Islands, these changes are already evident. “The ocean is different now. The fish don’t come like they used to, and the storms are stronger. Rising sea temperatures and erratic weather patterns have made fishing riskier for small-scale fishermen.”[5]
Preserving a Maritime Heritage
Despite the challenges posed by globalization, industrial fishing, and climate change, the people of Maluku are not passively accepting the decline of their maritime heritage. Across the archipelago, communities, conservation groups, and local leaders are working to preserve traditional fishing methods while ensuring they remain viable in a rapidly changing world.
The challenge is not just about saving an old way of life, but about integrating indigenous knowledge with modern solutions to create a sustainable future for Maluku’s coastal communities.
Strengthening Indigenous Marine Conservation: The Revival of Sasi
One of the most promising efforts in marine conservation comes from reviving and modernizing sasi, the traditional practice of restricting fishing in certain areas to allow marine populations to recover.
Organizations such as the Maluku Marine Foundation and local universities are working with community elders to document and enforce sasi practices more effectively. The idea is to combine scientific data on fish populations with traditional ecological knowledge, ensuring that conservation measures remain both culturally significant and environmentally effective.
- Technology Meets Tradition: In some villages, drones and satellite mapping are now being used to monitor marine health and ensure compliance with sasi restrictions. This prevents illegal fishing while maintaining local ownership of conservation efforts.
- Legal Recognition: Some local governments in Maluku have formally recognized sasi as a legal conservation strategy, incorporating it into official marine management policies.[6]
The impact of this revival has been tangible. In places where sasi has been successfully enforced, local fishermen report increased fish populations and healthier coral reefs. “We don’t need outsiders to tell us how to protect our seas,” says Pak Agus, a village elder in Ambon. “We’ve been doing it for centuries. We just need people to listen.”[7]
Eco-Tourism and Sustainable Alternatives
While tourism has contributed to rising fish prices and cultural shifts, some communities are leveraging it as a tool for conservation and economic sustainability.
In the Kei Islands, for example, local fishermen have partnered with conservation organizations to develop eco-tourism programs that showcase traditional fishing techniques, boat-making, and marine conservation efforts. Visitors can participate in sustainable fishing excursions, where they learn how to catch fish using traditional nets and traps, rather than industrial methods.
- The Economic Impact: These programs provide alternative income streams for local fishermen, allowing them to sustain their traditions without relying solely on unstable fish markets.
- Cultural Awareness: By educating visitors about Maluku’s rich maritime heritage, these initiatives help create a global appreciation for traditional fishing practices, increasing support for conservation efforts.
In Banda Neira, some former fishermen have transitioned into marine guides, leading snorkeling tours through coral reef restoration areas. “Instead of overfishing, we now show people how beautiful and fragile the ocean is,” says Romi, a tour guide and former fisherman.[8]
This shift represents a new way forward—one that allows communities to balance economic growth with cultural preservation.
Empowering the Next Generation: Will Maluku’s Youth Return to the Sea?
One of the biggest challenges in preserving Maluku’s maritime traditions is the declining interest among younger generations. Many young people see fishing as a difficult and unstable career, preferring to migrate to cities for jobs in tourism, retail, or even overseas labor markets.
However, some local initiatives are trying to reconnect Maluku’s youth with their maritime roots.
1. Marine Conservation Education in Schools
In several villages, local schools have introduced ocean conservation programs, where children learn:
- The importance of coral reefs and sustainable fishing.
- How to use traditional navigation techniques.
- The cultural significance of sasi and kole-kole boats.
By making marine conservation part of the school curriculum, educators hope to foster pride in Maluku’s maritime heritage, inspiring the next generation to protect their oceans.
2. Youth-Led Fishing Cooperatives
Some young fishermen are beginning to organize cooperatives, pooling resources to make small-scale fishing more profitable and sustainable. These groups use eco-friendly fishing gear, ensuring they catch fish without damaging marine habitats.
- Instead of selling fish to exploitative middlemen, some cooperatives now sell directly to local restaurants and eco-tourism projects, ensuring fairer prices and better economic stability.
- Social media and digital tools are also helping young fishermen market their seafood directly to consumers, cutting out the unfair profit margins taken by large distributors.
By modernizing traditional fishing with better economic strategies, these initiatives show that heritage and progress do not have to be at odds.
Conclusion: Holding onto the Tides
Maluku’s fishermen have always lived between the tides—balancing survival, culture, and adaptation to change. Today, as global economic forces, climate change, and industrial fishing disrupt their way of life, they stand at a crossroads: abandon their traditions or find new ways to preserve them.
The solution lies in empowering local communities—not just with financial aid, but with legal protections, education, and opportunities to integrate tradition with modern sustainability practices. The revival of sasi, the rise of eco-tourism, and the emergence of youth-led initiatives all signal a hopeful path forward.
However, the future remains uncertain. If Maluku’s maritime culture is to survive the pressures of modernization, it will require continued effort from both local communities and policymakers.
The tides will always change, but the question is: Will Maluku’s fishermen still be there to meet them?
Fendy is a writer and musician from Malang, Indonesia. His work explores social justice, culture, and everyday life, using simple words that feel close to the heart. Under the name “Nep Kid”, his music can be found on various online platforms, blending sound and narrative to express emotions beyond words. Whether through words or music, his creations aim to connect and share emotions.
Featured image at top: Drini Beach, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Abdul Rohmad, photographer, November 9, 2020, Unsplash.
[1] “Local Wisdom Guards Fisheries in Indonesia’s Maluku Islands,” The Jakarta Post, June 7, 2022, accessed March 17, 2025, https://www.thejakartapost.com/opinion/2022/06/07/local-wisdom-guards-fisheries-in-indonesias-maluku-islands.html
[2] International Labour Organization (ILO), Working Conditions of Indonesian Fishers, accessed March 17, 2025, https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/2025-03/Indonesia_Report_English_Final_Web.pdf
[3] Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), “Fish Price Trends in Indonesia,” accessed March 17, 2025, https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/313b0161-6176-4a76-b505-6f6d3836b9c7/content
[4] Dialektika Journal, “Shifting Professions Among Coastal Fishermen Due to Tourism,”, accessed March 17, 2025, https://ojs.unimal.ac.id/index.php/dialektika/article/view/5120/pdf
[5] World Bank, Hot Water Rising: The Impact of Climate Change on Indonesia’s Fisheries and Coastal Communities, accessed March 17, 2025, https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/indonesia/publication/hot-water-rising-the-impact-of-climate-change-on-indonesia-fisheries-and-coastal-communities
[6] Blue Ventures, “Connecting the Dots – ‘Sasi’ and Co-Management in Maluku, Indonesia,” accessed March 17, 2025, https://blog.blueventures.org/en/connecting-the-dots-sasi-and-co-management-in-maluku-indonesia/
[7] “An Institutional Analysis of Sasi Laut in Maluku, Indonesia,” WorldFish Center Digital Archive, accessed March 17, 2025, https://digitalarchive.worldfishcenter.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/db31054c-a241-4fa5-8ec6-4f748c9bfc01/content
[8] WRI Indonesia, “Sasi Laut for Marine Conservation Practices in Eastern Indonesia,” accessed March 17, 2025, https://wri-indonesia.org/en/insights/sasi-laut-marine-conservation-practices-eastern-indonesia
