Abstract:
The coral reef ecosystem in the Spermonde Archipelago manifests great potential in ecosystem services.
However, it has been degraded to “severely damaged”. In this study we investigated the law enforcement
related to coral reef conservation, especially the damage caused by destructive actions. We used mixed
qualitative and quantitative methods. We explored existing laws, conductedsemi-structured interviewswith6
informants (five fishermen and one judge), collected data on regional convictions data,and surveyed 48
respondents with a quantitative questionnaire, in 5 sampling sites: South Galesong District, Takalar Regency;
KodingarengLompo Island,Sangkarrang District Makassar city, Kapoposang Island; Sarappoand Papandangan
Island; PangkajeneandKepulauan Regency. This study detected 26 destructive cases, in which the perpetrators
were found guilty by the court with the consideration that their actions damaged the coral reef ecosystem. The
perpetrators used bombs, cyanide, and cantrangnets to catch fish and collect corals for trading. The imposed
sentence was mild and far from the maximum penalty, both in imprisonment and fine. Notably, none of the
perpetrators were sentenced to half of the main legal threats. 96% of (n = 48) respondents in our study area
disagreed with the mild penalty. A mild penalty may not provide deterrent effects to the perpetrators or others
who have an intention to conduct similar activities.The questionnaire showed that most of the locals know
about the conservation area (66%) and its regulation (88%). The best solution to strengthen the conservation
effort is to quickly establish a fisheries court in Spermonde Archipelago, which is also supported by locals
(92% agreed to the establishment). A fisheries court could examine, adjudicate, and decide fisheries criminal
cases, such as illegal fishing and destructive fishing within their jurisdiction. The court could be established by
Presidential Decree and it will be under supervision of the Supreme Court of Republic of Indonesia.
