TABANAN, DEWATA.NEWS – Traditional sea salt production in Kelating Beach, Kerambitan District, Tabanan Regency, has effectively ceased as ongoing coastal erosion continues to reshape the shoreline, leaving former salt-making areas submerged and unusable.
Kelating salt was once known locally for its fine texture and naturally savory taste, without bitterness. Produced using simple, traditional methods, the salt consistently sold out during harvest periods and was widely sought after by local residents. Today, however, the former salt huts and evaporation areas have been overtaken by seawater, making production no longer possible.
Perbekel of Kelating Village I Made Suarga said salt production in the village stopped around two years ago. In addition to coastal abrasion, he noted that the absence of active farmers has become a decisive factor.
“Most of the salt farmers have passed away. Those who are still alive are generally elderly and no longer able to work,” he explained.
According to village records, Kelating was once a significant small-scale salt-producing area during the 1980s. Around 1987, Banjar Dukuh and Banjar Dangin Pangkung were known as local centers for salt farming, with at least six active production huts and dozens of residents relying on sea salt for their livelihoods.
Over time, the number of farmers steadily declined. In the last five years, only one salt farmer remained, known locally as Pak Novi. Following his passing, no residents continued the activity. His wife, Mbah Novi, is also elderly and no longer produces salt.
Village authorities previously discussed efforts to revive traditional salt production and received attention from the Bali provincial government. However, the lack of younger successors remains a major obstacle.
“Young people are no longer interested. They prefer to work in other sectors, especially tourism,” Suarga said.
With coastal erosion worsening and no new generation of salt farmers emerging, traditional salt production in Kelating has gradually disappeared. What was once a small but important coastal industry is now considered no longer viable under current environmental conditions.