Abstract

The current study was to observe to what extent efforts are taken by the local government of Demak Regency, Central Java Indonesia to empower the fishermen based on local wisdom, as well as what model is right with the sustainable development. Technically, the government can take benefit from this study to issue a policy of ‘empowering and protecting fisherman with sustainable development model. The regency has bio and non-bio potential resources. However, due to the lack of visionary attention to the resources and the absence of the comprehensive maritime planning, the ecology and the socio-economy of the area are facing serious problems, such as unhealthy competition in fishing in its multiple manifestations contributing to the poor welfare of the fishermen along the coastline. In-depth interviews were held among 20 fishermen to find out their wishes for improvement of the welfare. It was concluded that policies of pro-fishermen have to be developed on the basis of local wisdom and sustainable development and recommendations were offered accordingly.

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