The Effect of Fisheries Productivity, Socioeconomic Factor, Non-Fisheries Business Opportunity on Vulnerability and Poverty: Small-Scale Fisheries in Riau Islands, Indonesia

Abstract

Purpose: to prove and analyze the effect of fisheries productivity, social-economic factors, and non-fisheries business opportunity on vulnerability and poverty of small-scale fisheries in Lingga Regency, Riau Islands, Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach: the research was conducted by applying direct interviews with small-scale fisherman households. The study population was 937 low households in the fisheries sector, where the study sample was 168 low households. This study uses a survey method. The data analysis technique used in this research is Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Findings: The results showed that fisheries productivity had a significant and negative effect on vulnerability. However, the socioeconomic factor and non-fisheries business opportunities had a significant and positive effect on vulnerability. The research results also showed that fisheries productivity has a positive and insignificant effect on poverty, socioeconomic factors have a positive and significant effect on poverty, and non-fisheries business opportunities have a significant and negative effect on poverty. Meanwhile, the vulnerability has a significant and positive effect on poverty. Research limitations/implications: the limitations of the research carried out in this study are that the author has not been able to reach all fishermen who are scattered on isolated islands in Lingga Regency, Riau Islands Province. The geographic conditions of the archipelago in the form of remote areas are relatively difficult for the author to reach. Practical implications: several things that suggest to the Government of Indonesia for both central and local governments in the fisheries sector are as follows: 1) provide benefits in the long and short term by implementing sustainable strategies to increase fishermen's productivity; this is because increased fish productivity can reduce poverty fisherman household. 2) increasing knowledge of human resources, which will directly impact the use of technology in the fisheries sector, which can accelerate the increase in productivity. 3) improvement of economic infrastructure and financial services to reduce socioeconomic factors, which positively and significantly impact poverty for small-scale fishers. 4) providing education and training for non-fishery alternative micro-businesses to diversify fishermen's household income. Originality/value: This paper is original. Paper type: Research paper