The Irony of Mineral Rich Island: the Root Cause of Poverty-Stricken Local Fisher in Bangka Island and the Proposed Empowerment Model

Abstract

Coastal communities in the Isle of Bangka Island are mostly living in poverty. Their life depends on activities associated with the fisheries sector, thus vulnerable to fluctuations of catchment due to seasonal fishing nature. On the other hand, the negative impact of modernization also led to excessive exploitation of marine resources and aggressive tin mining activities in the offshore that lead to marine pollution. This study aims to investigate major factor and the root cause of poverty trap facing by fisher community in Bangka Island. In addition, it intends to formulate the strategic model to alleviate the poverty of the fisher community in Bangka Island. Primary data collection in this study was carried out by using in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with stakeholders involved in eradicating poverty in the fishing community. The result of this study shows that local fisher poverty is closely related to technology deployment. Local fishers have only possessed limited fish processing technology as well as limited fish catchment equipment. While at the same time, tin miners own advanced technology in supporting their activities. It is suggested that empowerment model for dealing with poverty in the fishing community emphasis on the urgency for cross-sector integration between the civil society organization (environment), the cooperative (business), fisher community, and local and central government in alleviating poverty.