Harmonization of laws related to the protection of artisanal fishermen fishing grounds in Aceh Province

Abstract

This paper aims to examine how to protect of artisanal fishermen fishing ground and the policies that protect them. Small-scale fisher fishing grounds has to have a special attention due to their limitation. They are using very simple fishing gear, so they can’t sail far away from the coastal waters. The Fishing law give a specific attention for this matter, by limiting fishermen with 5 gross tonnage (GT) are only able to conduct their activities within the coastal waters. This study combines legal documents and the results of interviews with fishermen on 5 GT vessel. this studi of find, then the Law Number 27/2016 changed this regulation by increasing gross tonnage for small-scale fishermen from 5 became 10 GT, and it attract more serious problems for these small-scale fishermen since they have no exclusive fishing ground anymore. It will also affect to changes of fishing lane; fishing ground and vessels authorization procedure. By increasing GT, the 10 GT vessels also have rights to sail in the same fishing ground with 5 GT vessels and it’s created a potential conflict between the fishermen. So, harmonization of law is important task for the government in avoiding the overlapping rules on vessels criteria, by choosing law that prioritize on small-scale GT vessels.