Collective Micro Enterprises of Women's Groups in Wayabula Village, Morotai Manage Sustainable Coastal Resources. 

On the coast of Wayabula Village, Morotai Island Regency, the community's livelihood depends on the sea and coastal areas, which they have managed for generations. The julung-julung fish, processed into roa fish, is not only a commodity but also part of a community livelihood system that connects small-scale fishermen, women processors, bamboo forests, and coastal waters.

However, in recent years, this livelihood system has come under pressure. In their daily fishing, small-scale fishers face production costs disproportionate to declining catches. Climate change, coastal environmental degradation, and destructive fishing methods are increasingly restricting the living space of traditional fishermen. At the same time, marine development and management policies often neglect the needs of local communities.

In Wayabula, the uncertainty of fishermen's incomes directly impacts households. Women then play a crucial role in supporting the family economy. They are actively involved in the entire roa fish processing process, from preparing galafea bamboo collected from gardens and forests around the village, smoking the fish overnight, and tying and preparing the produce for sale. This forms the foundation of the village economy, even though it has been operating without institutional strengthening and equitable market access.

Roa fish processing is still carried out using traditional methods and is highly dependent on the natural conditions of the coast and surrounding forests. Each waya contains approximately 20-22 julung-julung fish, which are smoked overnight. If the seawater becomes cloudy due to bad weather or environmental damage, fish become difficult to find, and production ceases. This demonstrates that environmental damage directly impacts the income and economic well-being of coastal communities.

The situation is further complicated by Wayabula's location within the Rao Tanjung Dehegila Island Marine Tourism Park. The establishment of conservation areas, the entry of large fishing companies, and the development of national tourism have created an imbalance in the struggle for marine space. Small-scale fishers face numerous fishing area restrictions, while oversight of illegal fishing and environmental damage remains weak. As a result, local communities are often the most disadvantaged and rarely involved in decision-making.

In response to this situation, the Pakativa Association, along with women's micro-enterprise groups in Wayabula Village, is strengthening existing economic enterprises in the village. Two women's groups, Putri Lolaro and Forimoi, are the main drivers. They are not building new businesses, but rather improving their work methods and benefit distribution to make them more equitable and sustainable.

Collectively, Wayabula women produce roa fish and revive derivative products such as fish floss and roa chili sauce. Small-scale fishers, particularly the giop fleet, serve as fish suppliers. This business is being implemented in stages to maintain production continuity and ensure that the results can be enjoyed by many families, not just a few. The added value of their collective micro-enterprise products is a result of the successful acquisition of NIB (National Business License) and PIRT (Property Permit).

The income from this business not only increases income but also fosters awareness of protecting the village's managed areas. Bamboo forests, mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs are understood as a unified whole that supports the livelihoods and economy of the residents. Therefore, mapping of community-managed areas is carried out as part of efforts to protect coastal areas.

This economic strengthening effort was accompanied by a social media campaign and documentary film. The story of the Wayabula roa fish was presented as a story about coastal women, the people's economy, and the effort to preserve their living space. This program directly benefits women fish processors and fishermen, and also impacts families and children in Wayabula. In Wayabula, roa fish symbolize the relationship between humans and nature. Through the collaborative work of coastal women, a village economy has grown that is managed collectively, fairly, and in harmony with nature.