The Bajau people, an Indigenous ethnic group in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, have a long tradition of harvesting from the sea using freediving. In Sumbawa, Indonesia, a recent ban on air compressor-assisted dives has increased the value of these traditional methods. Freediving, when performed with the right skills, is considered gentler on both the environment and the diver compared to more destructive modern practices.
Mahari, a leader of a Bajau octopus fishing group in Sumbawa, surveys the waters to decide on their fishing methods. The Bajau cooperate with local NGOs to pass on their traditional knowledge to younger generations. Their freediving techniques are adapted based on water conditions and visibility, using tools like a “shell” tool adorned with hooks when visibility is low or currents are strong.
Source: Mongabay