Illegal but Common: Life of Blast Fishermen in the Spermonde Archipelago, South Sulawesi, Indonesia A thesis presented to the faculty of the Center for International Studies of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts Muhammad Chozin June 2008 2 This thesis titled Illegal but Common: Life of Blast Fishermen in the Spermonde Archipelago, South Sulawesi, Indonesia by MUHAMMAD CHOZIN has been approved for the Center for International Studies by Gene Ammarell Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Gene Ammarell Director, Southeast Asian Studies Drew McDaniel Interim Director, Center for International Studies 3 ABSTRACT CHOZIN, MUHAMMAD, M.A., June 2008, Southeast Asian Studies Illegal but Common: Life of Blast Fishermen in the Spermonde Archipelago, South Sulawesi, Indonesia (144 pp.) Director of Thesis: Gene Ammarell Blast fishing is fishing method practiced by throwing a bomb made from mixed fuel-ammonium nitrate fertilizer (NH4NO3) into sea in order to quickly catch large quantity of fish. However, it is tremendously destructive to coral reefs. It is estimated that more than 53% of Indonesia’s coral reefs in Indonesia have been threatened by destructive fishing including blast fishing. Particularly, in the Spermonde Archipelago, South Sulawesi, more than 75% of fishermen are practicing this fishing method. My research focus is on technological and socio-cultural aspects of blast fishermen society in an island within the Spermonde archipelago. Using participant observation, I looked at the society to observe how deep the practice of blast fishing is rooted in their cultures, beliefs, and political economy. I also conducted interviews with fishermen, government officers, and fish traders. By doing so, I tried to understand how the blast fishermen perceived themselves and others, how they dealt with the power of the state, and how they responded to the global economy. Finally, I examined fishermen’s opinions on the sustainability of their maritime resources including coral reefs and fish stocks. It seems that their awareness of environmental issues had no impact to their daily life. The desire to achieve economic gain and modernization overcame their desire for resource sustainability. Even though 4 they knew the negative impact of blast fishing practice in the long run, they continued it because they are “greedy.” Actually, exposure to the nearby city of Makassar’s modern life combined with a lack of formal education plunges them into a greediness situation in which they have only limited alternatives available with which to participate in the material consumption that surrounds them. The high demand from global markets for fish attracts them to use short-cuts in fishing. Moreover, the lack of law enforcement contributes the continuity of this practice. Approved: _____________________________________________________________ Gene Ammarell Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology 5 The highest dedication is for my both moms: Muslichatin and Dyah Suprobowaty. You are my inspiration! 6 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS As I finished this thesis, I would like to acknowledge the people and institutions which contributed to helping me finish this research. First, I would like to give my highest gratitude to the Ford Foundation International Fellowship Program (IFP) and Southeast Asian Studies Program of Ohio University. The Ford Foundation generously awarded me a scholarship to pursue a master degree at Ohio University; Southeast Asian Studies kindly awarded me a travel grant to conduct a field research for this thesis in summer 2007. Secondly, I would like to thank my academic adviser as well as my thesis chair, Gene Ammarell, who gave me a lot of academic support and assistance. To all my thesis committee members: Muhammad Iqbal Djawad from the Marine Center at Hasanuddin University, Indonesia, who provided me research assistance and advise, and Yeong-Hyun Kim who patiently read every single paragraph of my thesis and give me feedback. I will not forget all the people on the islands of Kodingareng, Barang Lompo, Balobaloang, and Sumanga who were willing to share their underground activities with me. Without their openness, it would have been impossible for me to write this thesis. Special thanks to Bukhari, my research assistant, who helped immeasurably in connecting me to important persons in the blast fishermen society. In addition, I would also like to thank student activists from HMI-MPO and Inninawa in Makassar who provided me warm space for discussions. To my colleague, Ridwan Alimuddin, who offered me preliminary information of blast fishing activities. 7 I extend my thanks to all of my friends at Ohio University who gave me friendship and warm discussions. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to honor my “thesis partner”, Lauri Hlavacs, with whom I share many readings and ideas; to Ryoko for being the best company at the Donkey café while I was writing this thesis, thanks for translating Japanese references! To my editors: Patricia Black, Molly Roth, and all people in writing center at Alden library. Special appreciation for Talinn Phillips (the director of writing center), who did a research on my English writing. Your interviews encouraged me to keep writing. Finally, to two others trio-Ford, Farid and Sandra: “We started together, and finally, graduated together!” Last but not least, to all PERMIAS (Indonesian Student Association) members whom I cannot mention one-by-one, a thousand thanks for being the warmest family in Athens. 8 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract............................................................................................................................... 3 Acknowledgments............................................................................................................... 6 List of Tables .................................................................................................................... 12 List of Figures................................................................................................................... 13 List of Pictures .................................................................................................................. 14 CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION...................................................................................... 15 CHAPTER 2: COASTAL RESOURCES AS THE COMMONS .................................... 20 A. The Idea of Common Property ................................................................................ 20 B. Conflicts of the Commons ....................................................................................... 22 CHAPTER 3: FISHERIES AND COASTAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION IN INDONESIA ............................................................................... 28 A. Fisheries Development in Indonesia........................................................................ 28 B. Coral Reef Management .......................................................................................... 32 C. Destructive Fishing in Indonesia.............................................................................. 37 CHAPTER 4: HISTORY OF BLAST FISHING IN INDONESIA ................................. 40 A. Blast Fishing Practice in the Colonial Era ............................................................... 40 B. Blast Fishing After Independence............................................................................ 42 C. Contemporary Blast Fishing Practices..................................................................... 43 CHAPTER 5: RESEARCH METHODS AND STUDY AREA ...................................... 45 A. Research Methods.................................................................................................... 45 9 B. Research Location.................................................................................................... 47 a). Spermonde Archipelago ...................................................................................... 47 b). Kodingareng Lompo............................................................................................ 51 CHAPTER 6: BLAST FISHING IN KODINGARENG LOMPO................................... 54 A. Creating an ANFO Bomb ........................................................................................ 55 a). Ammonium nitrate fertilizer (as munitions powder)............................................ 55 b). Kerosene (minyak tanah).................................................................................... 56 c). Detonator (lopis/lucis/dopis) ............................................................................... 57 d). Water proof wick (sumbu) ................................................................................... 57 e). Weight (laddo) ..................................................................................................... 58 f). Bottle..................................................................................................................... 59 g). Bomb cap (tomba) ............................................................................................... 59 h). Igniter/lighter (Ju'ju) ........................................................................................... 60 B. Procedure for Making Bombs .................................................................................. 60 B. Fishing Boats...........................................................................................................