Organization and Social Movement of Fishers in Indonesia
Type
Single PanelTime & Location
Session 6Thu 11:00–12:30 Room 1.405
Convener
- Rilus Kinseng Bogor Agricultural University
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- Narrative on “Cantrang” by Fisherfolk Social Movement Organizations in Indonesia Rilus Kinseng Bogor Agricultural University
Sarwititi Sarwoprasodjo Bogor Agricultural University
Indonesia’s government has banned the use of cantrang by fishermen in Indonesia in 2015, which drove a massive protest rally by fishermen in Indonesia. Even though government provided aids for cantrang fishermen, best solution has not yet been achieved. The purpose of this study is to explain the use of narrative theory by fishermen organization and social movement in Indonesia as a communication strategy in building rationality about the legalization of cantrang. Using qualitative methodology, 25 members of fishermen social movement organizations from four district (Indramayu, Tegal, Pati, and Lamongan) throughout West Java until East Java were interviewed. This study showed that fishermen social movement organizations used provocative narrative approach in their communication strategy to its members and to government, where social movement organizations blame the current Minister of Maritime and Fisheries Affairs to provoke a policy review on cantrang legalization
Abstract
With more than 17.000 islands, Indonesia is known as the biggest archipelagic nation in the world. Indonesia is also known as a maritime state since about 75% of its territory comprise of sea. Blessed with rich marine resources, there are many people who live in coastal areas work as fishers. In 2016, for example, there were 2,643,902 fishers in Indonesia.
Under the New Order era of President Suharto, most of fisher’s organizations were introduce and established “from above”. Their role was also mainly to deliver government program and agenda. At that time, the Himpunan Nelayan Seluruh Indonesia (HNSI) or “All Indonesian Fisher Association” was the main fisher organization that existed. In some places, there were also Fisher’s Cooperative Organization (KUD) existed. However, since the fall of the New Order in 1998, there seem to be many fisher organizations established by the fishers themselves or by NGO’s. In line with that, fishers also become more often express their interests in the public sphere, such as meeting local government and parliament as well as demonstration. In other words, fishers become more active conducting social movement to pursue their interests. Until now, study about the organization and social movement among fishers in Indonesia after the fall of the New Order is still very limited.
Based on the description above, it is very important to study the organization and social movement of fishers in Indonesia. For that reason, in 2018 (first year), we have already conducted study regarding organization and social movement of fishers in Indonesia. The study was conducted in Lamongan (East Java), Pati and Tegal (Central Java), Indramayu (West Java), and in Jakarta (DKI Jakarta). If everything goes well (approved), the study will be ended by the year 2020.