STRATEGI BERTAHAN HIDUP NELAYAN-NELAYAN KECIL DESA BATU AMPAR, KECAMATAN PALMATAK, KABUPATEN ANAMBAS

Abstract

Common problems faced by fishermen include the limited availability of fish resources, due to over fishing, climate change and the instability of fish selling prices. This condition is also experienced by small fishermen in Batu Ampar Village who carry out traditional fishing activities on the high seas. Facing the limitations of accessible fish resources and the uncertainty of the climate, they made various efforts so that they could survive. The purpose of this study was to describe the survival strategies of small fishermen in Batu Ampar Village in dealing with the problems faced while they were at sea. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach. Through the selection of informants by purposive sampling, in-depth interviews were conducted with 8 fishermen informants. The results showed that the small fishermen of Batu Ampar Village carried out a survival strategy that was reviewed based on survival skills standards when facing various problems at sea. These strategies include fishermen returning home and catching fish near the island, maximizing the use of GPS and fish finders, helping each other with fellow fishermen at sea, approaching oil and gas drilling areas, and utilizing existing equipment. Permasalahan umum yang dihadapi nelayan antara lain semakin terbatasnya sumber daya ikan akibat penangkapan lebih (over fishing), perubahan iklim dan ketidakstabilan harga penjualan ikan.  Kondisi tersebut juga dialami nelayan kecil Desa Batu Ampar yang melakukan aktivitas penangkapan ikan secara tradisional di laut lepas. Menghadapi keterbatasan sumber daya ikan yang dapat diakses dan tidak menentunya iklim, mereka melakukan berbagai upaya agar mereka dapat bertahan hidup. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menggambarkan strategi bertahan hidup nelayan kecil Desa Batu Ampar dalam menghadapi permasalahan yang dihadapi selama mereka melaut. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif. Melalui pemilihan informan secara purposive sampling, wawancara mendalam dilakukan terhadap 8 informan nelayan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa para nelayan kecil Desa Batu Ampar melakukan strategi bertahan hidup yang ditinjau berdasarkan standar keterampilan bertahan hidup ketika menghadapi berbagai permasalahan di laut.  Strategi tersebut antara lain adalah para nelayan akan kembali pulang dan menangkap ikan di dekat pulau, memaksimalkan pemanfaatan GPS (Global Positioning System) dan fish finder, saling membantu dengan sesama nelayan di laut, mendekati kawasan pengeboran minyak dan gas, dan memanfaatkan perlengkapan yang ada.