Agustinus Samosir, Hadiana, Muhammad Farras Amalsyah, Fredinan Yulianda, Sulistiono, Lee Seong Wei
Sea turtles are flagship marine species currently facing extinction risks due to anthropogenic pressures. While biological interventions are common, the long-term success of conservation areas often hinges on the alignment between technical management and local community dynamics. This study evaluates the effectiveness of sea turtle conservation in Harapan Island (SPTN Region II), Thousand Islands National Park, Indonesia, by integrating biological success metrics with social-policy analysis. Biological data (hatching and survival rates) were collected through field observations (2018-2024), while social perceptions were analyzed through structured interviews with 44 respondents. Data were processed using the Sabatier policy framework and principal component analysis (PCA) to identify drivers of community engagement. The findings reveal high biological technical success, with an average hatching rate of 91.20% and a hatchling survival rate of 93.28%. A notable surge in nesting activity occurred during 2020-2021, suggesting a positive response to reduced human activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a significant "participation gap" exists; while community perception is generally positive (score 3.8/5.0), active participation in monitoring remains low (2.3/5.0). PCA results indicate that civil servants and frequent attendees of outreach programs are the primary drivers of conservation support, highlighting a lack of inclusivity for the broader fishing community. Although the biological targets are being met, the policy implementation remains top-down. To ensure sustainability, the management must transition from a purely technical approach to a community-centric model that incentivizes local participation beyond administrative circles. © 2026, Egyptian Society for the Development of Fisheries and Human Health. All rights reserved.
Department of Aquatic Resources Management, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, IPB University, Jl. Agatis, IPB Dramaga Campus, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia; PSDKU Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Brawijaya University Kediri City Campus, Jl. Pringgodani, Kel. Mrican, Kec. Mojoroto, East Java, Kediri City, 64111, Indonesia; Department of Agro Industry, Faculty of Agro Industry and Natural Resources, University Malaysia Kelantan Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan, Kota Bharu, 16100, Malaysia
