be used as a recommendation for applying boat license to Syahbandar (harbourmaster) and fishing license to local fisheries office. Other features in the fisheries industry in Aceh, aquaculture and processing, do not institutionally include the custom. However, these elements generate bigger earnings to regional income revenue and potentially drive toward overexploitation and promote conflicts in resource uses. Socio-politics Previously a hereditary position, it is open to any eligible members as constituted in the latest 2000 Panglima Laôt convention. National political changes that gave wider local autonomy in Aceh provided opportunity to the Acehnese to apply local culture and, thus, recognise this customary system. Its role and position shifted from only Sultan’s bureaucrats to more independent civil representation. Internally, Panglima Laôt established local operational rules that should be complied with by the fisherman within his lhôk authority. Externally, Panglima Laôt represents their fishermen in resolving conflicts to fishermen from outside his lhôk territory, including conflict with foreign fisherman such as Thailand, India and Myanmar. The situation is beneficial to the application of such customary regime since the fishermen feel secure in doing their fishing activities. The government will also benefit from the system since the strong compliance will reduce their intervention in monitoring overexploitation of local marine resources. In addition, its power shifts following political changes and technology improvement. Previously represented Sultan’s power over maritime space, it becomes more independent in representing civil society. Its territory is also improving, from subsistent level to wider waters following the expansion of motorised fishing technology [8]. Impacts of the 2004 Tsunami Traditionally, Panglima Laôt usually belonged to pivotal figures in local fishing community who has advanced knowledge and experience in maritime aspect and long experience as pawang (boat captain), as well as understanding all aspects of the custom. Regrettably, the recent tsunami killed 13 to 14 thousands fishermen; many of them are the Panglima Laôt . Since Panglima Laôt was solely one person who was responsible for the job, surviving members of lhôk community have found it is difficult to establish a new person with the same skills and capability as his predecessor. In addition, the loss also risks bringing such unwritten and undocumented custom to extinction. It is estimated the catastrophe decreased fisheries outputs in Aceh to 60% as well as damaged 65% of infrastructures and 55% of equipment. The situation potentially encourages the industry to extend fishing efforts to accelerate their recovery.