33 in Jaga 1 obtained
katinting for their boats. A slight increase in
catches for soma paka paka was reported. Six
new soma paka paka which can be converted
for lolosi were introduced into Jaga 2,
and five new pelang were constructed two to
replace old boats. Harvests were reported to have increased in Jaga 2 as a response to increased demand created by two new fish
buyers tibo-tibo. Previously there were none in Jaga 2, and the fishers had to sell their catches through a tibo- tibo in Jaga 1.
CHANGES IN PROJECT ACTIVITIES: Perhaps the most significant change in the community is
that it is now one of the Proyek Pesisir “scaling-up” projects. This, of course, means that it has lost some of its value as a control site. “Scaling-up” activities have included training, mangrove replanting, and preparation of
a plan to develop MPAs in each of the sub-villages. Trainings have included how to hold meetings, MPA development and ordinance preparation, reef assessment manta tow training, mangrove culture, and report
writing. An extension officer from Proyek Pesisir moved to the community in March 2002 and averaged a week residence per month since that time. The agent trained community organizers three for each Jaga in
preparing work-plans, reporting and coordinating with the Project Pesisir office.
MPA core groups have been formed in each Jaga, and a draft ordinance one has been prepared to cover the MPAs planned for both Jaga. The areas Pintu Kota 16 Ha in Airbanua and Kiaeng 13 Ha off
Wawunian were selected on the basis of coral cover and community participation. Several meetings were held during which the merits of selected locations were debated, and one to the north of Wawunian, which was
selected by the Hukum Tua on the basis of high coral cover, was rejected in favor of Kiaeng, which is relatively close 50m to the proposed MPA site in Jaga 1 located off of Pintu Kota. Dive tourists from the Gangga
Resort and other places Thalassa Dive Center’s live-aboard are already visiting the areas selected about once or twice a week, and the MPA groups are discussing the question of fees. The MPA committees will hold a
meeting including community members from both sub-villages to familiarize them with the plans and locations.
The entire community in Jaga 2 is reportedly involved in mangrove replanting. There is no single mangrove group—it is too difficult to get them together because of other commitments. There was an
agreement with community members that each family would be responsible for planting 25 mangroves. Given the figure of 94 families in Jaga 2, this would amount to 2350 mangrove trees. The first mangrove replanting
was a joint church—Proyek Pesisir sponsored activity in March 2002. One family fenced off an area they planted to keep goats from eating the plantings. Mangrove plantings are wide spread around most of the
mangrove areas visited.
3.3.2 Kahuku Talise control site
POPULATION: Population has changed little over the years in Kahuku. This year it was reported by
the ex-village secretary to be 1046, a drop of 54 from the figure provided in 2000, and two fewer than the 1997 population of 1048.
OCCUPATIONS: Rank importance of occupations in Kahuku are found in table 8. Fishing and
farming are the most important occupations as in past surveys, with “other” occupations ranking second and employment at the pearl farm and small shop keeper ranking third.
Fishing gear has changed with the addition of eight new pelang to the fishing fleet. The number of vessels deploying cung has dropped from five to one due to increased costs. The remaining cung is rarely
deployed. Most of the catch is now derived from fish traps igi, soma paka paka and soma lolosi. Fish catches
Table 7. Percent distribution of occupations in Airbanua 2002.
OCCUPATION 1st
2nd 3rd
4th 5th
6th TOTAL
FISHING 25
35 20
10 --
5 95
GLEANING --
-- --
5 10
-- 15
TRADE FISH 5
-- --
-- --
-- 5
TRADE OTHER --
5 --
-- --
-- 5
PROCESS FISH --
5 --
-- --
-- 5
FARMING 25
35 30
5 --
-- 95
PLANTATION 35
-- 5
-- --
-- 40
OTHER 10
20 --
10 --
-- 40
TOTAL 100
100 55
30 10
5 N= 20
34 have reportedly declined.
Blast fishing still occurs in the area, but by fishers from
Bulutui rather than Kinabohutan, which was
formerly alleged to be the source of bomb fishers. Some
infrastructure, such as the village pier, has deteriorated
significantly since 2000. It can no longer be safely used due to
erosion of cement supports and missing segments in the
walkway. Coastal erosion was evident, but most of the village coastline is beautifully greened with large trees. Some collecting of dead coral
no fresh coral was noted was observed for lining septic tanks.
NEW PROJECTS: Kahuku has a new Hukum Tua who is doing his best to upstage the previous
village chief by using his own money to subsidize village projects such as improvement of the path connecting the sub-villages, which has been eroded by the sea, and providing loans for new fishing gear. Villagers
provided labor and the Hukum Tua provided materials for path improvement. He reported that he provided loans for four of the eight new katinting small externally mounted boat engines.
The hillsides of Kahuku, and the entire island of Bangka, seemed to be relatively free of the fires that raged on Talise. The Hukum Tua attributed this to sanctions he applies, such as sanctioning fire starters and
making them pay damages. He reports that they plan to “re-green” the entire area, and he has ordered a total of seven kilograms of “Jati Super” tree seeds from Makkasar, which they plan to begin planting when the rains
return. It is alleged that the trees can begin to be harvested after the 6
th
year, but are bigger and better after 14 years. The Hukum Tua said that they have plans to export the wood. As a part of his “greening” activities, he
has also prohibited the cutting of trees. Violators will suffer from “social sanctions.” The village of Kahuku also has problems with the pearl farming activities. A pearl farm shore-side
installation is located just north of the village and extensive portions of the offshore waters are taken up by pearl farm activities. The fishers from Kahuku must also put up with overly aggressive guards who chase them away
from the area. The pearl farm has operated in the area since 1991, and employs some 60 villagers 45 men and 15 women.
The new Hukum Tua made several unfavorable comparisons between his administration and the previous one. He said that the former Hukum Tua let the pearl farm management take advantage of the
community—that he feels that too much fishing area was taken away from the community. He also alleged that people freely cut trees along the coastline as long as they paid bribes to the former Hukum Tua. He said he
works with the people, he does not just tell them what to do.
3.3.3 Sapa Blongko control site
