Agus Heri Purnomo, Suhendar I. Sachoemar, Zainal Arifin, Joko Samiaji, Edwarsyah, Rosye H.R. Tanjung, Juliani, Atikah Nurhayati, Pudji Purwanti, Salnida Yuniarti Lumbessy, Nickson Kawung, Lestario Widodo, Haryanti, Terry Indrabudi, Widya Safitri, Mitsutaku Makino, Juri Hori, Olivier Thebaud, Daniel K. Lew, Fabio Boschetti
This study examines how demographic factors—age, gender, education, occupation, and length of residence—shape perceptions and behaviors toward marine conservation in Indonesia. Data were collected from 3159 respondents across 18 marine ecoregions using quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to capture perspectives. Findings indicate that younger and more educated individuals prioritize marine research and pollution control, while older respondents emphasize economic stability and resource management. Gender differences are evident: statistical analysis (Chi-square, Cramér's V) shows that women express greater concern for environmental protection and pollution impacts on household and community health (p < 0.01, moderate effect size), whereas men are more inclined toward the economic utilization of marine resources, often linked to fisheries and maritime occupations. Occupational status also influences attitudes toward marine sustainability, with employees and students showing stronger support for conservation policies than self-employed individuals and fishers, who prioritize economic considerations and financial security (p < 0.05, moderate effect size). Long-term coastal residents are more engaged in marine sustainability efforts compared to recent arrivals, exhibiting stronger advocacy for conservation measures (p < 0.01, moderate-to-high effect size). These findings highlight the necessity of integrating demographic insights into marine policy to ensure inclusive, adaptive, and effective governance. To align with the Indonesian Ocean Policy (IOP), this study recommends targeted interventions, including gender-sensitive environmental education, financial incentives for sustainable small-scale fisheries, and place-based marine governance strategies incorporating customary tenure systems (e.g., sasi laut). Embedding these demographic considerations in policy frameworks ensures effective, socially responsive, and equitable marine conservation strategies in Indonesia. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd
Research Center for Society and Culture, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia; Research Center for Environment and Clean Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia; Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia; Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Riau University, Indonesia; Master of Fisheries Sciences Study Programme, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Teuku Umar University, Indonesia; Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, Cenderawasih University, Indonesia; Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Mulawarman University, Indonesia; Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia; Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Brawijaya University, Indonesia; Faculty of Agriculture, Mataram University, Indonesia; Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Sam Ratulangi University, Indonesia; Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Japan; Policy Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Agro-Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Indonesia, Indonesia; French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer), Univ Brest, CNRS, UMR 6308, AMURE, Unité d'Economie Maritime, IUEM, Plouzané, France; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, United States; CSIRO Environment, Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia
