Collaborative Governance and Community-Based Fisheries Management: Policy Strategies for Achieving SDGs in Coastal Merauke

Abstract

This study explores collaborative policy strategies in community-based fisheries management (CBFM) in Merauke, Indonesia, aiming to support sustainable, inclusive, and adaptive marine resource governance aligned with local contexts and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Employing a qualitative case study design, the research draws on in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, policy document analysis, and participatory observation across selected coastal villages. Guided by the Collaborative Governance Framework of Ansell and Gash, the study analyzes key dynamics including stakeholder participation, institutional coordination, trust-building, and policy outcomes. Findings reveal that top-down marine policies have marginalized indigenous fishing communities and customary institutions, creating governance gaps and resource-based conflicts. Nonetheless, the study identifies strong informal regulatory systems rooted in local wisdom such as sasi laut (marine closure), customary deliberations, and sustainable harvesting practices that contribute to ecological preservation and social equity. Emerging collaborative initiatives involving local governments, NGOs, and community leaders demonstrate the potential for inclusive governance models, though significant challenges remain, including institutional fragmentation, limited policy literacy, and the lack of legal recognition for customary marine tenure. The study argues that strengthening collaborative governance requires adaptive policies, capacity-building programs, and formal integration of indigenous knowledge systems into regional planning. By highlighting Merauke's unique socio-ecological setting as a coastal and border region, this research contributes to the discourse on inclusive coastal governance and offers policy-relevant insights for advancing SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 1 (No Poverty), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). It concludes that locally rooted collaboration is key to achieving sustainable and equitable coastal development in Indonesia and beyond.