Fostering Community Engagement towards Sustainability in Small-Scale Fisheries

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of community engagement in supporting sustainability in the context of small-scale fisheries in maritime sector. This paper qualitatively analyzes the opinions of selected fishermen to voice their community engagement in supporting sustainable fishing efforts. The main issues are illustrated using qualitative study-based data from a focus group discussion and interviews with fishermen who understand the rules and regulations. Evidence shows that the sea is positioned as a common-pool-resources. The community engagement in utilizing the sea raises awareness and volunteerism to work together to create value. This paper concludes that the role of maritime stakeholders of the village in providing their effort has been quite effective in engaging villagers in simple community activities, such as consulting with them on various issues to empowering community capacity to support fisheries sustainability. This paper expresses the opinions of key stakeholders in coastal villages about community engagement activities that provide benefits for policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and students who pursue sustainability in the context of small-scale fisheries in maritime sector.