Rambo in Jakarta Bay: Portrait of Bagan Traditional Fishermen Surviving Development and Climate Change

Iqbal Lubis (Freelance Photojournalist, Makassar)

The tide rolling in the ocean. The noise sound like about to grasp the boat. However Teguh remain calm. He is not afraid. Together with five teammates, he continue to walk down the bamboo frame, pulling out the net, with a help of a generator. The boat where he work in the 17th fleet belong to Haji Coetang. A boat named Mutiara 17.

“In the past, there were a lot of bagan tancap in front of the house. But now it is prohibited” said Teguh. Bagan Tancap was restricted commencing of NPCT-1 project and the construction of the giant wall all along Jakarta coast. Now they have to find moor location in Jakarta bay area, such as Bidadari Island which is 45 miles in distance. The restriction of bagan tancap has decreased the interest of people to become fishermen. Data from Center of Statistic Bureau showed a decreased in fishermen profession number from 6.095 to 3.381 between 2016-2017.

Now they apply new method called Bagan Rambo. Just like Rambo, a movie character played by Sylvester Stallone, this bagan works in secretive method. Going guerrilla in Jakarta sea, wheedling fish with spotlight and capture them with bagan net motored by 29,8 PK generator. For me, this innovation is more than a change of working method, it is as well a way for us to survive.

In the shore of Bidadari island that night, the net only captured few fishes. Their bagan continue it’s journey to the next spot. When the bagan moves, Teguh staring at the night sea, rolling under the tides. 45 miles from where he stands, his wife and children waiting for him at the home. Above Bagan Rambo, he casts hope, that one day his children will also become fishermen.