RRI.CO.ID, Masohi - The Central Maluku (Malteng) Regency Administration in Maluku Province is reinforcing local food culture through the Festival Kor’a Inasua in the Teon Nila Serua (TNS) Subdistrict. This initiative aims to preserve coastal traditions while ensuring the sustainability of marine resources.

"As a traditional food, inasua is part of the identity of coastal communities in Maluku," Central Maluku Regent Zulkarnain Awat Amir said on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He emphasized that protecting the ocean is directly correlated with the cultural and economic continuity of the community.

Inasua is a traditional fermented fish product unique to the TNS community and has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTb) of Indonesia since 2015. This traditional preservation method utilizes a salt-curing technique that originally served as a strategic food security solution during monsoon seasons when fishing conditions were difficult.

The process often focuses on specific target species, such as deep-sea Gindara (Ruvettus pretiosus), which highlights the community's specialized and long-standing knowledge of marine biodiversity. Because this practice is so closely tied to the environment, there is a vital ecological link where the tradition relies entirely on a healthy marine ecosystem, making ocean conservation a practical necessity for the community's cultural survival.

The festival serves as a platform for more than just celebration, it is a vital space for community capacity building. To support the goal of empowering women, specialized training focuses on improving production hygiene, financial literacy, and marketing strategies for inasua products, ultimately aiming to boost household incomes.

Furthermore, the festival encourages active youth involvement by engaging younger generations through environmental education and social media content competitions. These initiatives are designed to foster a "guardians of the sea" mindset from an early age, ensuring the next generation is equipped to protect both their cultural heritage and the marine environment.

Marine Program Director at the Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), Muhammad Ilman, noted that traditional practices like inasua reflect values of efficiency and sustainability. "When communities guard their traditions, they are simultaneously guarding the marine ecosystem," he said.

This cultural approach is proving effective in supporting the design of new marine protected areas in the TNS region. The festival is a strategic space for cultural expression and conservation education, linking the community’s heritage directly to environmental health. By highlighting inasua, the administration provides a sustainable economic model that encourages coastal residents to protect the very waters that provide their livelihood.

Furthermore, the collaboration with YKAN ensures that these traditional fishing practices are integrated into modern conservation frameworks. This synergy helps build a collective awareness that a healthy ocean is a non-negotiable prerequisite for the long-term survival of Maluku’s unique coastal culture. ***