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Deasy Ariani Amin: Advancing Fisheries Governance and Women’s Roles in the Maritime Sector
In her work to stop illegal fishing across South Sulawesi, Deasy Ariani Amin draws on various law enforcement and communication strategies and, increasingly, the involvement of local women as guardians and educators.
Her role as a Technical Policy Reviewer at the South Sulawesi Marine and Fisheries Service is critical, given the ecological and economic significance of the province’s marine territories.
To enhance her professional capacity, Deasy has completed 3 Australia Awards Short Courses, beginning with Integrated Coastal Zone Management in 2017, at Brisbane’s Griffith University.
It was Deasy’s first visit to Australia, and it left a lasting impression. She appreciated the open-minded, multicultural society and the way the lecturers took an approach of equal partnership with students.
One highlight was her visit to the Great Barrier Reef, which she described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
‘It was my first time diving in such a renowned marine area. The experience was unforgettable and aligned closely with my field of work,’ she recalled.
Upon returning to Indonesia, Deasy initiated a draft of the governor’s regulation that encourages community involvement in monitoring illegal fishing. Although still undergoing legislative processes, this initiative has influenced ongoing policy development in South Sulawesi.
From Online Learning to Tangible Impact
Deasy’s subsequent Short Courses — Sustainable Aquaculture (2021, University of Tasmania) and Women in Leadership in the Security Sector (2022, Deakin University) — were conducted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She acknowledged the limitations of remote learning, particularly the lack of hands-on field visits.
‘Although the duration was longer, it was less effective because it lacked practical exposure. We were also balancing coursework with our professional responsibilities. However, the knowledge was still valuable and helped me grow,’ Deasy explained.
Her 2021 Short Course on Sustainable Aquaculture led to a group project focusing on shrimp farming in Berau, East Kalimantan. Deasy and her colleagues applied enhanced aquaculture techniques that resulted in significant improvements in tiger prawn harvests.
‘We worked closely with local farmers, and after applying our methods, their yields improved noticeably. Although we faced sustainability issues due to limited funding and leased land, we continued providing technical guidance,’ she said.
Her 2022 Short Course on Women in Leadership in the Security Sector offered a different kind of learning. It emphasised self-development and leadership beyond technical expertise.
For her Award Project, Deasy produced a video titled Introduction to the Profession of Women in the Security Sector, which showcased the daily work of female fisheries supervisors.
‘Many people didn’t realise what our role entailed. I wanted to show that this profession, often seen as unsuitable for women, can indeed be a place where we thrive,’ she shared.
The video was published on the Marine and Fisheries Service’s YouTube channel[1] and was later recognised as an innovation in bureaucratic reform by the South Sulawesi Government.
Promoting Gender Inclusion in Maritime Security
The success of the video led to greater recognition of Deasy’s capabilities. She was entrusted with leading initiatives traditionally handled by male counterparts, particularly those related to maritime security.
‘Before the video, female officers were often overlooked for such responsibilities. Now, I’ve been given the opportunity to lead in this field,’ she said.
As part of her daily responsibilities, Deasy works closely with community groups in 23 regencies in South Sulawesi to promote lawful and sustainable fishing practices.
As part of her broader agenda, she introduced a technical guideline mandating that every community group include at least 3% female representation.
Previously, women made up less than 1% of the groups. Since the new guideline was implemented, 27 new groups have been established, and one-third of the members are women.
In 2023, Deasy founded Pa’Jala (short for Perempuan Penjaga Laut or Women Sea Guardians), a community of coastal women trained in sustainable marine oversight[2].
The program involves coastal women in activities such as raising awareness on the dangers of bomb and poison fishing practices, training in community-based patrols, mentoring in organisational management and capacity-building workshops.
‘Through Pa’Jala, we want to show that women are not just passive observers in coastal areas, but active guardians of marine resources. The community has now grown and continues to operate effectively, especially across several islands in South Sulawesi,’ Deasy explained.
Pa’Jala has now expanded to several islands across South Sulawesi. ‘We now have women patrolling, reporting, and educating others,’ Deasy added. ‘They’ve become advocates for sustainability within their communities.’
Deasy’s inspirational leadership was recognised by the Governor of South Sulawesi, who named her agency a Gender Champion in provincial governance.
Changing Mindsets for Sustainable Practices
Despite these achievements, Deasy acknowledges that changing public perception remains a major challenge. Many coastal communities are hesitant to abandon destructive fishing methods due to the immediate economic returns they provide.
‘Convincing fishers to switch to legal and sustainable practices takes time. We focus on long-term education rather than direct enforcement,’ she explained.
Women are central to this approach, not just as supporters but as key agents of change. Through initiatives like Pa’Jala and the coastal community groups, women are actively involved in educating their communities, leading discussions, and advocating for responsible marine resource use. Their influence is particularly powerful at the grassroots level, where trust and communication are vital.
‘Women may not be on the frontlines of patrols, but they can influence families and neighbours through everyday conversations. Their role is essential in creating community ownership and driving sustainable practices from within,’ Deasy added.
Looking ahead, Deasy and her team plan to collaborate with the Fisheries Processing Division to provide skills training for coastal women. This includes teaching fish processing techniques that enhance product value and generate additional income.
Motivated by the impact of her Short Course experiences, Deasy aspires to pursue a PhD in Australia. She has already secured a potential supervisor at James Cook University in Queensland and submitted a research proposal in 2019. While family considerations have delayed her departure, she remains committed to further study.
‘I’ve seen how gaining knowledge can open doors, not just for myself but for the communities I serve,’ she said. ‘I hope to continue contributing through education, especially in empowering women.’
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuCZv-NxYzk
[2] https://www.mongabay.co.id/2024/02/04/pajala-strategi-pelibatan-perempuan-menjaga-laut-sulawesi-selatan/
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