Turning into Land Fishermen

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 120 views

The Socio-Economic Adaptation Strategy for Traditional Fishermen in Facing the Pacclik Period (Study of Traditional Fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village, Teluk Mengkudu District, Serdang Bedagai Regency)

Introduction

The traditional fishing industry is a vital sector in many coastal communities, providing livelihoods for millions of people worldwide. However, the traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village, Teluk Mengkudu District, Serdang Bedagai Regency, are facing significant challenges due to the Pacclik period, a time of extreme weather that causes famine and loss of income. This study aims to explore the socio-economic adaptation strategy employed by traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village to survive during this period.

Background

The Pacclik period is characterized by extreme weather conditions, including strong winds, heavy rainfall, and rough seas, which make it difficult for fishermen to venture out to sea. As a result, traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village experience a significant loss of income, making it challenging for them to meet their basic needs. In this context, the fishermen must adapt to survive, and this study aims to investigate the strategies they employ to cope with the economic challenges posed by the Pacclik period.

Methodology

This qualitative descriptive study uses a combination of observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation to gather data. Structured interviews using an Interview Guide were conducted with traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village to gather accurate and detailed information about their experiences and adaptation strategies. The study aimed to explore the various ways in which fishermen adapt to the economic challenges posed by the Pacclik period.

Results

The results of this study revealed that traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village employ a range of adaptation strategies to meet their basic needs, particularly in terms of food. Some of the key strategies identified include:

Turning into Land Fishermen

Traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village adapt by turning into land fishermen, capturing swamp crabs. This activity provides an opportunity to earn additional income when the sea is unfriendly. By diversifying their income sources, fishermen can reduce their dependence on a single income stream and increase their resilience to economic shocks.

Repairing Nets and Fishing Gear

The Pacclik period is also an opportunity for fishermen to repair damaged nets and fishing gear. This is done to increase the chances of success in the sea when the sea conditions return to normal. By maintaining their equipment, fishermen can ensure that they are prepared to take advantage of favorable fishing conditions when they arise.

Utilizing Family Personnel

Fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village involve all family members in finding additional income. Children help in land fishermen activities, while wives and other family members make a living by trading or doing other work. By leveraging the skills and resources of family members, fishermen can increase their income and reduce their reliance on a single income stream.

Optimizing Free Time

When they cannot go to sea, fishermen use their free time to engage in other activities such as fishing, looking for firewood, or making handicrafts. By making the most of their time, fishermen can reduce their economic vulnerability and increase their resilience to economic shocks.

Utilizing Cooperative Services

Cooperatives are a place where fishermen can complain to obtain capital loans or economic needs during the famine. Although with high enough interest, cooperatives are a solution for fishermen in difficult conditions. By accessing credit and other financial services, fishermen can increase their income and reduce their economic vulnerability.

Discussion

The adaptation strategies employed by traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village demonstrate their resilience and flexibility in the face of economic challenges. By diversifying their income sources, maintaining their equipment, leveraging family resources, making the most of their time, and accessing credit and other financial services, fishermen can reduce their economic vulnerability and increase their resilience to economic shocks.

However, this study also highlights the vulnerability of fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village to the impact of climate and economic change. The Pacclik period is a significant challenge for fishermen, and they require support and assistance to improve their welfare and resilience. Increasing capacity and access to technology and information, as well as empowerment programs from the government, are needed to help fishermen improve their economic prospects and reduce their vulnerability to economic shocks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has provided insights into the socio-economic adaptation strategy employed by traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village to survive during the Pacclik period. The study highlights the resilience and flexibility of fishermen in the face of economic challenges and identifies the need for support and assistance to improve their welfare and resilience. By understanding the adaptation strategies employed by fishermen, policymakers and other stakeholders can develop targeted interventions to support the traditional fishing industry and improve the economic prospects of fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Increase access to credit and other financial services: Fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village require access to credit and other financial services to increase their income and reduce their economic vulnerability.
Improve capacity and access to technology and information: Fishermen require access to technology and information to improve their fishing practices and increase their income.
Empowerment programs from the government: The government should provide empowerment programs to support the traditional fishing industry and improve the economic prospects of fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village.
Diversify income sources: Fishermen should diversify their income sources to reduce their dependence on a single income stream and increase their resilience to economic shocks.
Maintain equipment: Fishermen should maintain their equipment to increase the chances of success in the sea when the sea conditions return to normal.

By implementing these recommendations, policymakers and other stakeholders can support the traditional fishing industry and improve the economic prospects of fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village.
Frequently Asked Questions: The Socio-Economic Adaptation Strategy for Traditional Fishermen in Facing the Pacclik Period

Q: What is the Pacclik period, and how does it affect traditional fishermen?

A: The Pacclik period is a time of extreme weather that causes famine and loss of income for traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village, Teluk Mengkudu District, Serdang Bedagai Regency. The strong winds, heavy rainfall, and rough seas make it difficult for fishermen to venture out to sea, resulting in a significant loss of income.

Q: What are the socio-economic adaptation strategies employed by traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village?

A: The traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village employ a range of adaptation strategies to meet their basic needs, particularly in terms of food. Some of the key strategies include turning into land fishermen, repairing nets and fishing gear, utilizing family personnel, optimizing free time, and utilizing cooperative services.

Q: How do traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village adapt to the economic challenges posed by the Pacclik period?

A: Traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village adapt to the economic challenges posed by the Pacclik period by diversifying their income sources, maintaining their equipment, leveraging family resources, making the most of their time, and accessing credit and other financial services.

Q: What are the benefits of the adaptation strategies employed by traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village?

A: The adaptation strategies employed by traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village demonstrate their resilience and flexibility in the face of economic challenges. By diversifying their income sources, maintaining their equipment, leveraging family resources, making the most of their time, and accessing credit and other financial services, fishermen can reduce their economic vulnerability and increase their resilience to economic shocks.

Q: What are the limitations of the adaptation strategies employed by traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village?

A: The adaptation strategies employed by traditional fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village are not without limitations. The fishermen are still vulnerable to the impact of climate and economic change, and they require support and assistance to improve their welfare and resilience.

Q: What recommendations are made to support the traditional fishing industry and improve the economic prospects of fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village?

A: Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Increase access to credit and other financial services: Fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village require access to credit and other financial services to increase their income and reduce their economic vulnerability.
Improve capacity and access to technology and information: Fishermen require access to technology and information to improve their fishing practices and increase their income.
Empowerment programs from the government: The government should provide empowerment programs to support the traditional fishing industry and improve the economic prospects of fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village.
Diversify income sources: Fishermen should diversify their income sources to reduce their dependence on a single income stream and increase their resilience to economic shocks.
Maintain equipment: Fishermen should maintain their equipment to increase the chances of success in the sea when the sea conditions return to normal.

Q: What are the implications of this study for policymakers and other stakeholders?

A: This study highlights the need for policymakers and other stakeholders to support the traditional fishing industry and improve the economic prospects of fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village. By understanding the adaptation strategies employed by fishermen, policymakers and other stakeholders can develop targeted interventions to support the traditional fishing industry and improve the economic prospects of fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: Future research directions for this study include:

Investigating the impact of climate change on the traditional fishing industry: This study highlights the vulnerability of fishermen to the impact of climate change. Future research should investigate the impact of climate change on the traditional fishing industry and identify strategies to mitigate its effects.
Developing targeted interventions to support the traditional fishing industry: This study highlights the need for policymakers and other stakeholders to support the traditional fishing industry. Future research should develop targeted interventions to support the traditional fishing industry and improve the economic prospects of fishermen in Pematang Kuala Village.
Investigating the role of cooperatives in supporting the traditional fishing industry: This study highlights the importance of cooperatives in supporting the traditional fishing industry. Future research should investigate the role of cooperatives in supporting the traditional fishing industry and identify strategies to improve their effectiveness.