Climate change is no longer a future threat; it already has some concrete impacts. It affects weather patterns, seasonal shifts, and food availability, especially in coastal areas of Eastern Indonesia.

Fisher communities are facing major challenges like declining catches, increasing operational costs, and heightened vulnerability to food insecurity. Amidst these challenges, a local initiative emerged which was integrated with national and international project support: Sasi Label, bridging local wisdom with sustainable development innovation.

Food Security and Climate Change Challenges

Food security is the ability of a community to ensure the availability of sufficient, nutritious, and sustainable food for all of its members. However, the IPCC (2023) report shows that climate change is putting pressure on the global food system. Rising sea temperatures and extreme weather are causing fish species to migrate and making it more difficult for fishers to maintain their catch. In an archipelagic country like Indonesia, this is not only an ecological issue, but also one that affects social, economic, and fundamental human rights to food.

More than 2.7 million people directly depend on the fisheries sector, along with millions more working in processing and distribution. Therefore, systemic adaptation and intervention are very important, especially for small-scale fishers in eastern Indonesia.

CFI Indonesia Intervention: From Local Capacity to Market Networks

In response to these challenges, the Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia project, funded by GEF 6 and coordinated by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), serves as one of the strategic interventions. The project focuses on Fisheries Management Areas (WPP) 715, 717, and 718, which cover a significant portion of Eastern Indonesia.

CFI Indonesia's intervention facilitated the promotion of processed fishery products by the assisted group at the JCC National Exhibition event.

Throughout its implementation, CFI Indonesia has reached more than 5,300 fishers, 32% of whom are women. They have received capacity-building training not only in fish harvesting and processing, but also in branding, business management, and product marketing. This represents a concrete effort to strengthen local economic empowerment oriented towards food security and gender equality.

Furthermore, CFI has also established partnerships between assisted MSMEs and modern retail networks. Through the signed MoU, Sasi-branded products are now available in 10 modern retail outlets, with the potential to expand to 30 outlets by the end of the project. This model has already been successfully implemented in regions such as Southeast Maluku, Eastern Seram, and Wondama Bay, and is beginning to be replicated in other areas such as Ambon, Biak Numfor, Kaimana, and Raja Ampat.

Strengthening Customary Law and Conservation Areas: OECMs

One of CFI Indonesia’s key approaches is promoting coastal area management based on customary law and participatory conservation. Through a community-based mapping process, customary territories are designated as Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs).

Larva sampling in the waters of Gorom Island during OECM identification by the BRIN Research Team (08/2025).

For instance, in Eastern Seram Regency (Gorom and Manawoku Islands), approximately 5,971 hectares of marine area have been mapped as potential OECMs. In Kei Besar Island, Southeast Maluku, an additional 348 hectares are managed in a similar manner. By applying the Sasi principle, which is a temporary prohibition on harvesting marine resources, marine life is given time to reproduce, ecosystems recover, and fishery yields become more sustainable.

Sasi Label: Local Wisdom in Modern Systems

The concept of Sasi, which refers to the prohibition of harvesting marine or land resources for a certain period of time, has long been a part of the cultural tradition in Maluku and Papua. Today, with support from CFI Indonesia, this local wisdom is being integrated into modern business systems through the Sasi Label.

CFI Indonesia's intervention encouraged the diversification of nutritious processed fishery products and contributed to national food security in the project location.

In Watkidat Village, for example, fishermen are trained to use environmentally friendly fishing gear, while women are trained to process seafoods into products such as shredded fish, crackers, and smoked fish. These products are then marketed through the Joint Business Groups (KUB), which are directly connected to modern markets.

The 'Sasi' label is not only a sign of sustainability, but also indicates that the product comes from an area that maintains ecological balance and is managed according to customary practices. By choosing this product, consumers contribute to marine conservation and the empowerment of coastal communities.

Real Impact: Women’s Empowerment and Community Resilience

Before the CFI intervention, women in coastal villages like Watkidat were often limited to domestic roles. Now, they are actively involved in the fisheries value chain, from processing to marketing. Sri Fanny Mony, the Chair of the Women Fishers Group, stated that the presence of the Sasi Label has opened new opportunities for women to contribute equally to the village economy.

In addition, processed products such as shredded fish and smoked fish have a longer shelf life and serve as strategic food reserves during lean seasons or extreme weather. Therefore, they can play an important role in supporting household food security amid the climate crisis.

Policy Support and Replication Potential

The success of the Sasi Label initiative is strengthened by national policies such as the Kampung Nelayan Maju (Advanced Fishermen Village) program and the requirement to allocate 20% of Village Funds for food security. The involvement of village governments, traditional institutions, and religious leaders ensures that this program is deeply rooted in the community.

CFI Indonesia has also expanded its intervention in Ambon City and Southeast Maluku Regency by providing training to women's fishing groups to support the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program and to reduce stunting rates. Fish is processed into high-nutrient products such as fish drum sticks and fish jerky, which are suitable for school children's consumption. This initiative demonstrates that empowering local communities can provide solutions to national and even global challenges, from food security to nutrition issues.

A Way Forward: From Local Communities to Sustainable Food Systems

Sasi Label is more than just an economic program. It is a transformative model that integrates local wisdom, women's empowerment, environmental conservation, and market development. Amid the challenges of climate change, this model demonstrates that solutions rooted in culture and community participation can be both effective and sustainable.

From Watkidat in Southeast Maluku to Ambon, from the Kei Islands to Raja Ampat, CFI Indonesia has shown that with the right support, coastal communities are not only able to survive, but also lead the movement toward an equitable, resilient, and sustainable food future.