In the heart of the global coral triangle, within the Banggai Archipelago, lies the small island of Sonit. Located at the eastern tip of Central Sulawesi, near the border of the North Maluku, Sonit is making remarkable progress in marine conservation and community development., Known for its rich marine biodiversity, Sonit’s economy is almost entirely dependent on fishing. The main targets are octopus, aquarium fish, and various demersal species.
Life on the island is close-knit. The latest figures show a population of 639 people, with 333 women and 306 men, made up of diverse ethnic groups including Bajo, Bugis, Buton, and Banggai, with Bajo being the majority.
Worrying Reefs
LINI’s ecological assessments in 2023 and 2024 showed that hard coral cover ranged from just 26% to 47%. Even more concerning was the significant presence of coral rubble (dead, broken coral). In the two main surveyed spots, rubble covered a staggering over 40% of the seabed in 2024. This damage is a direct legacy of past blast fishing practices.
This is incredibly encouraging, showing that even severely damaged areas can bounce back if conditions allow.
Sonit’s reef health directly underpins its economy. The main catches are octopus, dory a.k.a “Letter Six”, and demersal fish. The octopus fishery involves the most people, with an estimated 181 fishers primarily targeting octopus and demersal fish.
2025 – Building a Resilient Future
Significant community empowerment efforts are underway. Our approach focuses on capacity building and connecting the community with vital resources:
- Women’s Empowerment: In an exciting development, the women of Sonit are enthusiastically forming their own groups for income generation and savings. A women’s group named Sinar Harapan has already been formed.
- Establishing Fisher Groups (KUBs): Efforts are ongoing to establish new ones. The goal is for these KUBs to function as cooperatives, offering savings and loans to help members navigate the lean “bad fishing season.”
- Fisher ID Cards (Kartu KUSUKA): Facilitation in obtaining this fisher ID, which provides official recognition and access to government programs, insurance, and aid. So far, 30 out of a target of 50 fishermen have registered, with the village aiming for full registration.
- Data-driven Decision Making: Efforts to collect specific data on aquarium fish catches and other important reef fish are predetermined. The data will be crucial tool in navigating the policy and decision making within the fisheries management.
Lessons from Sonit
Sonit provides a vivid example of how coral reef health and community well-being are deeply intertwined. The community’s willingness to shift toward more responsible and sustainable fishing practices, organizing economically, and advocate for access to essential services is a source of hope and inspiration.
Sonit’s journey reminds us that empowering local knowledge and ensuring genuine community participation are fundamental to the long-term health and survival of our vital marine ecosystems, not just in one village, but on a much larger scale.
By Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley and Eveline Kurniati
