Pitfalls and Contribution of Fishers to the Design of Management Measures in a Top-Down Policy Context: Results from a Participatory Workshop Near Kendari Bay, Indonesia

Management of coastal resources in Indonesia, in particular concerning small scale fisheries, to date is largely governed through state-directed regulations developed and applied through a top-down approach where the fishers themselves have little or no input into the decision-making process.  To investigate and evaluate methods towards a more balanced approach for effective coastal co-management in Indonesia, we conducted a participatory workshop in three coastal fishing villages north of Kendari Bay (Southeast Sulawesi Province), involving fishers and appropriate government officials (local, district and regional) in about equal numbers, along with other stakeholders (small local business, NGOs, researchers/teachers). While the workshop methodology as a whole was positively judged by most participants, the attitude of fishers and officials toward its outcome were opposed:  Fishers in general reported a positive attitude for being consulted and able to contribute their concerns.  Officials were skeptical about the participative methodology, expressing concern over the lack of weight of the traditional institutional process in designing a management proposal.  We propose alternative approaches for reaching effective co-management proposals for Indonesian small scale coastal fisheries, to be achieved over the median and long term.