Strengthening Coastal Community Resources

By: Daniel.          

Indonesia is one of the largest archipelagic countries having the second longest coastline in the world after Canada. It brings big advantages to Indonesia, especially the abundant natural resources and biodiversity. They should be means to improve the welfare of the people, especially the coastal communities. However, we know that all is still far to be realized, seeing the poverty level in coastal communities is still high.

Based on data from Central Statistical Bureau in 2021, 12,5% of the extremely poor in Indonesia are fishermen's families due to several factors, including the low quality of human resources. The fishermen's life still depends on utilizing natural resources using limited technology and capital. There are various community economic empowerment programs carried out to improve the quality of human resources and reduce poverty in coastal areas. However, many of them are still not on target. These are the findings we got from a study visit of Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta in Marine Economics programs at Sadeng Port, Gunungkidul regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta. (4/2/2023).

In Sadeng, we held discussions, learned the regulation, and observed the fishermen’s activities accompanied by the port master. After that, in small groups, we interviewed one of the fisherman’s wives who processes the fish into several products such as fish floss, meatballs, tofu, nuggets, etc.

In the interviews, we mapped out the potencies for processed seafood made by the fisherman’s wife as a member of women groups in the village. The group faces limited means of production and not all of the members can make innovations to cook marine products, as well as difficulties to market their products widely. Social media and digital markets can be used as massive product marketing platforms. They need support from stakeholders to assist them through training to increase their skills to make various products, to enlarge the marketing zone, and to optimize digital media to reach customers.

Hopefully, the development of fishermen's resources to manage marine products can improve the community's economy and reduce poverty levels. No less important if the support of stakeholders reaches the young people, they will be able to participate in sustainable development. ***