SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN EAST FLORES MARINE RESERVES OF EAST NUSA TENGGARA PROVINCE, INDONESIA

Abstract

Marine reserves are marine protected areas with specific characteristic for the purpose of protection of fish species diversity and ecosystem. The purpose of this research to identify economic activities that can produce benefits as optimal as possible for the coastal community of East Flores marine reserves also has the least negative impact on the environment in the vicinity. The results showed that there are 8 important areas, 4 important habitats and 5 important species that are within the East Flores marine reserves. In this area there is no prohibition on fishing known as ‘no-fishing area’. Formal rules regarding marine resource management are not made at the village or hamlet level and there are no formal rules applicable. The community has never caused conflicts between users and officers regarding the use and management of marine resources. Monitoring and law enforcement are only carried out by the community when fishing and there is no monitoring and law enforcement by the government through the relevant agencies. According to the communities, the social impact of the management is a prosperous community and income will increase. The biggest economic beneficiaries are fishermen from outside the sample village with larger fleets and fishing gear such as lampara or motorboats with purse seine, longline tuna, double fishing gears such as trawlers and fishing rods in one fishing fleet.

Keywords

• socio-economic assessment
• coastal communities
• east flores
• marine reserves