Fisheries management in Central Maluku, Indonesia, 1997-98

Interviews with government staff responsible for fisheries management in Maluku, Indonesia in 1997-98 revealed problems in capacity, and an emphasis on economic development rather than management. The traditional institutions which persisted in some villages to regulate the access and withdrawal rights over key inshore species, were also disjunct from government departments. The period following December 1998 is marked by political upheaval, legislative change that (in theory) decentralized governance over inshore waters, and violent unrest centered in Maluku. All these make the data collected in 1997-98 of historical interest. The state of fisheries management in Maluku remains undefined, pending further legislative reform and peace that will allow governments and communities to negotiate and implement new institutional arrangements.