Modernization of Bajo Community Fisheries: A Case Study on Saponda Island, Southeast Sulawesi

Abstract

This study aims to outline the fisheries modernization movement and its impact on the transformation of the social life of Bajo Tribe fishermen on Saponda Island. This research uses qualitative research methods with a case study approach. Data analysis using interactive and comparative models through the stages of data reduction, data presentation, verification, and inference. The results of this study show: (1) the modernization of internalized fisheries in Bajo fishermen on Saponda Island in the form of (a) boat motorization, (b) transformation of fishing gear, (c) industrialization of fisheries, (d) transformation of knowledge, and (e) transformation of fishermen's institutional systems. The most dominant activity occurs in upper-high fishermen such as Pajoloro, especially Punggawa, while in small fishermen, especially Koli-Koli and Mustard, it is less dominant; (2) the impact of fisheries modernization on the configuration of the social transformation of Bajo fishermen shows the existence of (a) unbalanced contestation of fishermen, (b) changes in fishermen's social mobility, (c) social stratification of the Bajo tribe, and (d) diversification of more open employment opportunities. This social transformation occurs in a progressive form but is more dominant among middle and upper fishermen, while the small fishermen of the Bajo tribe mostly lead to a form of stagnation and even regressive change.