KKP Emphasises Inclusive and Equitable Blue Economy, Cross-Sectoral Synergy from Central to Regional Levels
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has affirmed that the implementation of ecosystem conservation within the framework of the blue economy must be carried out inclusively, participatively, and equitably for coastal communities and business actors.
“Strengthening Indonesia’s blue economy as a strategic national development agenda cannot be separated from the protection of marine ecosystems,” said the Director of Ecosystem Conservation at the DJPRL KKP, Firdaus Agung, in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, Thursday.
This commitment was reinforced through the forum “Synergy of the Blue Economy in Harmony with Ecosystem Protection Through Concrete Actions at the Local Level,” which was organised by the KKP together with the Coastal Conservation Foundation (YPL) in Jakarta.
The cross-stakeholder forum, involving the KKP, Bappenas, the NTB Provincial Government, academics, civil society organisations, representatives of coastal communities, and groups of people with disabilities, emphasised that the future of Indonesia’s marine economy depends on real collaboration with coastal communities as key actors.
Participants agreed that the current challenge is no longer the formulation of policies, but the alignment of cross-sectoral implementation to avoid fragmentation and loss of long-term impact. The vision of conservation is the foundation of the blue economy, with communities not only involved but also acting as actors and beneficiaries. The mainstreaming of GEDSI (Gender, Equity, Disability, and Social Inclusion) is affirmed as an integral part of fair and sustainable coastal governance.
This forum is part of the HATCH project (Harnessing Adaptive Conservation Through Social Enterprises and Learning Hubs), supported by the COAST Facility Indonesia and the British Government. The results produced strategic recommendations: harmonising the blue economy with ecosystem protection, inclusive and transparent coastal governance, increasing community capacity through micro-social enterprises, expanding funding schemes that support coastal empowerment, and forming multi-party partnerships at the local level so that collaboration does not stop at discourse.
The Director of the Coastal Conservation Foundation, Dina Kosasih, cited good practices in Teluk Jor, NTB, where community-based coastal management through the pentahelix model, involving government, community, academics, business, and civil society, has been able to protect the ecosystem while improving welfare. “Strengthening the role of communities at the local level is key to ensuring that the blue economy is not just a policy jargon,” she said.
The Chairman of the Teluk Jor Awik-Awik Management Agency (LPATJ), Mustamin, added that the blue economy will only succeed if the sea is seen as a shared living space, not just a commodity. Coastal communities must be strategic partners in its management.
Similar synergy is seen in Central Kalimantan, where the Department of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (Dislutkan) of Central Kalimantan together with the Financial Services Authority (OJK) are strengthening collaboration to optimise the development of the blue economy and the marine and fisheries sector. The Head of Dislutkan Central Kalimantan, Sri Widanarni, said that the development of this sector is a strategic program of Governor Agustiar Sabran.