Small Scale Fisheries and Marine Tourism

Many traditional fishermen carry out small-scale fishing activities. They catch using small boats and with local knowledge. The DGT-KKP (2014) states that traditional fisheries are usually carried out on a small scale and are a reflection of the attitudes and culture of society that are influenced by social and religion. Fish caught in small-scale fisheries are only sold around the house to meet their needs and occasionally are sold outside the area if the catch is abundant. This small-scale fishery activity has been carried out by indigenous peoples from generation to generation by taking into account the local wisdom that applies to the community. One of the local wisdoms of the community is that they pay attention to environmental sustainability in fishing activities by using non-destructive fishing gear and limiting the number of fish caught.

Local wisdom in this community is able to create a water environment that is maintained, so that it can create sustainable fisheries activities. Another benefit that can be developed from this small scale fishery is in the marine tourism sector. Local wisdom of the community is able to create environmental sustainability and become a special attraction for tourists. Development in the tourism sector is a good opportunity to improve the standard of living of traditional fishermen. With marine tourism activities, traditional fishermen can increase their source of income through activities to guide marine tourism, such as fishing, diving, snorkeling, and swimming. Fishermen can use their boats not only to catch fish but also to take tourists on marine tours.

Small-scale fishing activities and marine tourism can be carried out simultaneously and have a positive impact. The existence of small-scale fisheries can create good environmental conditions for tourism and provide the needs of tourists to consume fish, while tourism activities can provide more income for fishermen. The integration of fisheries and tourism is needed in efforts to manage the area, so as to create community welfare. The integration of fishery and tourism activities has been carried out in several areas, for example in the Gili Matra Marine Tourism Park and the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area.

The Gili Matra Marine Tourism Park (Meno, Trawangan, Air) is one of the marine conservation areas located in North Lombok. Fishery activities in Gili Matra are classified as small scale fisheries and are still carried out traditionally. Pratiwi (2014) states that the boats used by fishermen to catch fish have a length ranging from 2-14 meters and use an outboard engine (3.5-40 PK). The people of Gili Matra have a customary law known as awig-awig. This awig-awig regulates fishing zoning, coral reef conservation, and protection of giant turtles and clams (Gili Indah Village Decree 1998). This customary regulation (awig-awig) aims to protect and conserve the coastal environment so that fishing activities can be sustainable. With this awig-awig, the sustainability of the coastal environment of Gili Matra can be maintained and this has triggered the development of marine tourism on Gili Matra. Desa Gili Indah (2014) states that Gili Matra was first visited by tourists in 1980 and began to have bungalows in 1985.

Husni (2001), states that Gili Matra is currently being developed in the marine tourism and fisheries sector activities. The high potential of biodiversity, including the ecosystem of seagrass beds, coral reefs and mangroves as well as the diversity of biota and / or fish that inhabit these ecosystems have provided opportunities to use the area in the marine tourism sector. The marine tourism sector has now grown rapidly and has become the main source of livelihood for the people of Gili Matra. The Department of Tourism, Communication and Information Technology (2013; Unpublished data) states that there has been an increase in the number of tourists from 2009 to 2013 amounting to 371,093 people.

The integration between fisheries and tourism activities can be well developed through training and extension programs. Fostering public awareness about the importance of coastal environmental sustainability needs to be improved through extension programs. Extension is able to provide direction and views to the community on the benefits of environmental sustainability. This also needs to be supported by training programs for coastal communities, especially fishermen. Training that can be carried out includes training in guiding tours, training on the use of environmentally friendly fishing gear, training in foreign languages ​​(English) so that people can communicate with foreign tourists, and investment training in the tourism sector.