Local Fisherman Resistance in Kelapa Kampit Coastal Area Toward Offshore Mining Activities

Abstract

Tin mining activities in Belitung Island have lasted since colonialism era to this moment. In 1990s tin exploitation in Belitung was stopped as it was assessed as no longer productive. In 1999, however, the mining had massively recommenced and at the same time, tourism and fishery were being actively developed as the new economic power. Recently, tin exploitation has shifted into offshore, and since then the conflicts began to appear. Rejection actions were continuously performed by fishermen through anti offshore mining audience, demonstration and campaign in social media. One of the rejections was when production suction vessel entered Pering waters, KelapaKampit East Belitung. At the urging of local fisherman group, written agreement between East and West Belitung head regencies, as well as the special committee recommendation of East Belitung house of representative, finally the suction vessel moved out from Pering waters. This study aimed to analyze fishermen’s and stakeholders’ knowledge, attitude, and expectationtoward offshore mining activities. Their point of views are needed in order to obtain complete perspective regarding the positive and negative sides, whether there is the meeting point among various interests and how long this conflicts will last. It is a mixed method research between qualitative and quantitative one. Quantitative approach employed questionnaire and SPSS 20 was used to analyze the results. Data collection technique used non-probability sampling with specific characteristic, fisherman community in Pering coastal area in which the amount applied Solvin theory. Qualitative approach was used to explore various phenomenons developing in society through interview with stakeholders related to offshore mining issues. Qualitative research was applied to explore phenomenon developing on site, either historically or contextually. Primary data was collected through interview with stakeholders in East Belitung related to the major issues raised. Based on the questionnaire results on fishermen and the interview with the related stakeholders, there were some findings. First, fishermen’s knowledge about offshore mining was very limited. Second, most fishermen were agreed that offshore mining damaged ecosystem, reduced catching and disturbed tourism. Third, the expectation if offshore mining keep operating, fishermen will continuously fight for it. In stakeholder and social society level; though there is one supporting offshore mining, so far however, the majority still put their side on fishermen, tourism, and environment’s interest and thus refusing offshore mining.