Discussion
As Zeller et al. (2006) identified (with regard to another regional fishery, American Samoa 1950–2002), a variety of factors can influence local socio-economic systems and related behavior and thereby influence fisheries. The interaction of these factors is often complex. The social tensions and inter-communal violence that occurred in some urban areas of Maluku in 1999–2001 prompted a substantial exodus from the region. In the case of Kotania Bay, many recently arrived individuals and/or families returned to their original villages in South and Southeast Sulawesi. This resulted in an immediate decline in the number of fishers working in the bay. When the conflict ended in 2001 previous levels of fishing did not resume in the same manner but rather responded to new factors. The immediate post-conflict period saw a diversification of employment opportunities that arose from increased demand for spices and natural medicines, creating jobs in harvesting crops such as eucalyptus, cacao, and seaweed. Further diversification of employment options also began after the establishment of West Seram Region in 2004. While these options gave the local population opportunities for economic advancement outside of fishing, a counter-tendency was also present in that increases in demand for particular reef fish in urban centers created an increased income for those people still employed in fishing activities in Kotania Bay. Substantial income was generated by fishing, processing and marketing and reef fish culture in floating cages also increased to provide live fish for the international market (LIPI Report, 2008). The establishment of set prices per kilo for reef fish by the national government in 2007 prompted a number of young adults to become occasional fishers harvesting groupers (Serranids). As a result, fishing pressure in the bay (including the harvesting of sea cucumbers) increased until 2008, resulting in a significant depletion of marine resources. The reduction in fishers in 2009 resulted from both this depletion and from employment opportunities arising from major infrastructural projects such as roads, bridges and ports in the area.