STRATEGI ADAPTASI MENETAPNYA NELAYAN SUKU BAJO DI DESA TOROSIAJE KABUPATEN POHUWATO

This study aims to determine the factors that cause changes in the nomadic nature of the Bajo fishermen at Torosiaje, as well as explaining the adaptation strategies undertaken in the face of the changing nature of the nomads to settle. Survey was conducted on 40 fishermen as the respondents (from a total of 298 people). Samples were selected by purposive method with intention of selecting among the late adult category and the elders. Data collection was enhanced by indepth interview on five informants. The average of respondent was 47 years old, with the youngest aged 37 years and the oldest 76 years. Education level of respondents 85% are not getting any formal education, and 15% had at primary school. The expanding fisheries activities are small-scale fisheries using a variety of fishing gear, such as gill net (47%), long line (5%), arrow (5%), diverse mix of gear (43%). Depleting fish resources has been perceived by fishermen in this past five years, because 90% of respondents reported increasingly difficult to catch fish. Resources scarcity encourages more exploitation because the cost of living and the level of demands. Even 73% of respondents do illegal fishing such as fish bombing and the use of potassium cyanide as a shortcut to get fish in a large scale, at the short time. Limited ability to work outside the maritime sector also encourages more intense of exploitation. However, 77% of respondents answered to not going to get any other professions, 18% of respondents plan to getting other professions by condition, and only 5% of respondents who have started switching their professions although still occasionally doing fishing. This study also showed that 80% respondents preventing their child to become a fishermen. Thus, it can be predicted that the identity and culture of �sea nomads� that attached to Suku Bajo Torosiaje will shift and will be strongly influenced by the culture of the shore-based general society