Last February, LINI conducted a series of trainings for local tuna suppliers in South Buru, including Koperasi Simpang 3 Darmabuana and its members, as well as fishers in Pasir Putih and Air Ternate villages. The trainings focused on taking “baby steps” to improve the local community’s capacity in three key areas: organizational management, safety at sea, and post-harvest.
Strengthening Cooperative Management
On February 21, 2024, a training session was held, in Pasir Putih Village with trainers from the Buru Selatan District Cooperative Office. The training addressed Law No. 17 of 2012 concerning cooperatives and aimed to equip cooperative administrators and members with the knowledge and skills to manage the cooperative effectively. This included understanding the Articles of Association (AD/ART) and implementing them for the benefit of all members.
One of crucial points in the management was the implementation of the Annual General Meeting (Rapat Anggota Tahunan – RAT) as part of communication and coordination strategies to make the Cooperative more effective. Brury Latuwael, the Head of the Buru Selatan District Cooperative Office encouraged the management of the Simpang 3 Darmabuana Cooperative to hold the annual meeting.
Prioritizing Safety at Sea
On February 24, 2024, a Safety at Sea training was conducted in Air Ternate Village. Trainers from the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) Namlea post, along with participants from the Air Ternate Village Government, Simpang 3 Darma Buana Cooperative, and local fishers, attended the session.
“Being a fisher is a very risky job because they often face extreme weather in the middle of the sea. Therefore, it is very important for fishers to know the basic techniques of saving themselves at sea. In addition, most fishers are not equipped with GPS or safety equipment such as life jackets when going to sea. Therefore, when extreme weather occurs, BASARNAS often receives reports of fishers missing. For this reason, BASARNAS urges every fisherman to have GPS, life jackets, and a first aid kit when going to sea.” Alfian Henaulu, Coordinator of the BASARNAS Namlea Post. The training emphasized the critical importance of safety and the proper use of safety equipment at sea. Representatives from the BASARNAS Namlea post provided valuable insights and guidance to the 18 participating fishers from Air Ternate village.
Enhancing Tuna Post-Harvest Practices
Traditionally, fishers relied on wet icing (sea water and block ice) to maintain the freshness of the tuna catch. However, this method has limitation that can decrease the quality of the catches. PT Intimas Surya, which purchases tuna from South Buru provided post-catch tuna handling practices training for fishers. This opportunity allowed forknowledge sharing and building connection among stakeholders.
Held on February 27, 2024, in Air Ternate Village, the session led by a captain from PT. Intimas Surya’s vessel, equipped participants with proper techniques for maintaining the quality of fish.
The application of good post-harvest practices will enhance the opportunity of fishers to get better prices by maintaining the quality of their catch.
Building a Sustainable Future
LINI’s collaborative efforts in South Buru demonstrate a commitment to empowering local communities and promoting responsible fishing practices. By focusing on cooperative management, safety at sea, and improved post-harvest practices, this initiative paves the way for a more sustainable future for small-scale fisheries in the region. Partnering with Koperasi Simpang 3 Darmabuana, PT Intimas Surya, and with financial support from the Resources Legacy Fund (RLF), this initiative exemplifies LINI’s dedication to fostering positive change in the country’s small-scale fisheries.
Prior to the training, Social Responsibility Assessment (SRA) was carried out by independent consultant to assess social aspects within fishery management of cooperation that needed to be improved. Since this series of trainings aligned with the improvement needed based on the SRA report, we plan to further conduct similar, more comprehensive and inclusive trainings not only for cooperative members but also for fishing communities in South Buru. This plan will require us to engage broader collaborators in the field.
By Toufan Drachman, Eveline Kurniati and Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley