Sasi and community engangement in marine protected area: a qualitative case study of ay island, maluku, indonesia

Abstract

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are commonly used worldwide as an adaptive instrument to balance the sustainability of ecological biodiversity and community life through promoting sustainable marine resource use. Each MPAs has a unique social, cultural, and ecological context that influences MPA implementation and impact. This case study applies qualitative analysis to investigate the integration of local knowledge and marine tenure system “sasi” and the process of community engagement in establishing marine protected areas in Ay Island, Maluku, Indonesia. It also examines the factors that influence these processes and explores the impacts of MPA. This qualitative case study conducts in-depth interviewing with 29 key informants from the Coral Triangle Center (CTC) staff, Ay Island's conservation team, and the local community. The study found that bridging science “ilmu kampus” with local knowledge “ilmu kampung” becomes the central perspective of the integration process of integration sasi and how communities are engaged at MPA. The findings show four main dimensions (themes) such as the integration of sasi into the MPA program, community engagement in MPA, social dynamics and factors that influence community engagement and the sustainability of MPA, and the impacts of MPA on ecology and the local community. The study provides some insights on MPA establishment and management by suggesting that considering the local community context and knowledge is crucial for the sustainability of MPA in the process of establishment. The study might contribute to the large body of existing literature related to community engagement in MPA, community-based natural resources management, the integration of local knowledge in establishing MPA, and other conservation projects. This study also might provide new knowledge regarding the process of reviving a local cultural practice and traditional conservation concepts such as sasi. The study highlighted that the ability to build a sense of ownership and a sense of pride of the community towards the natural resources they have is the key to establishing MPA sustainably. This process can be achieved by appreciating the values of local knowledge in the village and building equal relationships with all stakeholders involved in the decision-making process, from the initiation stage to the management of the MPA.