Sarae Bura Traditional Fishermen Protect the Marine Ecosystem 

At the foot of Mount Tambora, precisely on the coast of Boro Village, Sanggar District, Bima Regency, there is an Indigenous Community that has long depended on the sea for its livelihood. The Sarae Bura Traditional Fishermen, part of the Boro Indigenous Community, are known as guardians of environmentally friendly fishing traditions passed down through generations. However, over time, they have faced various challenges, such as marine exploitation, which has resulted in ecosystem damage, climate change, economic conditions, and other issues that impact the loss of traditions and the sustainability of life.

Seeing this threat, the traditional elders, fishermen, and youth of the Boro indigenous community held a traditional fishermen's meeting that collectively reached an agreement on the importance of reviving environmentally friendly traditional fishing practices, establishing a temporary no-take zone (sasi), and formulating new customary regulations regarding marine sustainability. This was implemented by providing environmentally friendly fishing gear (nets) to 63 members of the Sarae Bura Traditional Fishermen's Group. This equipment not only increases catches but also maintains the sustainability of fish species and coral reef ecosystems in Boro waters. In addition, the Indigenous Community has established a 62-hectare environmentally friendly fishing area and a 35-hectare temporary fishing ban and restriction area aimed at restoring the marine ecosystem.

As an educational center, the Sarae Bura Traditional Fishermen's Saung was built as a gathering place, where they can discuss, learn, and devise strategies together. This Saung has been used by the younger generation of fishermen for training on how to predict sea seasons, understand ocean currents, and practice processing high-value fish. This is reinforced by the Fishermen's Forum, which brings together fishermen, the government, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. This forum resulted in decisions that will be followed up regarding protection and occupational accident insurance for fishermen, agreed upon by the BPJS Employment Agency (BPJS), free education facilities for fishermen's children, cooperation between fishermen and BAZNAS (National Azan Azan) to foster fishermen's groups, and the issuance of business permits for fishermen.

Today, the Sarae Bura Traditional Fishermen and the Boro Indigenous Community have not only successfully preserved their ancestral cultural heritage but also used it as the foundation for economic sovereignty and marine ecosystem preservation. The Indigenous Community has proven that preserving tradition does not mean rejecting change; rather, it serves as the foundation for a sustainable and sovereign future. The program has impacted the 2651-hectare customary area of ​​Boro Village, socially impacting 1065 men, 1039 women, and 700 young people.