“If people in Grogos and around Kataloka customary area understand the benefit of protecting the Koon Fish Market, I believe their spirit will increase. They will protect it voluntarily, not only the King tells them so,” says Samsuddin Rumakat or called Imam, the fisher from Grogos island.
It was already 11 PM when he returned home after attending the fisher meeting in the village. Since July last year, Sarno was assigned as the Leader of Tuna Jaya Fisher Association (FA), one of four FAs established for implementing Fair Trade fishery standards.
The Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have partnered to implement the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA)
Before Kalam was customarily elected as the King of Buano Island, destructive fishing had been a common practice in the area. Every day, explosions were heard near fishing boats that were trying to catch fish as many as they could, the fastest and easiest way, even if illegal.
