The impact of water resources management on the socio-economic and ecological aspects of the coastal area of Merauke-Indonesia

Abstract

Natural resource management in coastal areas should have a sustainable impact on the socio-economic aspects of fishing communities, including fishing communities in Merauke, Papua-Indonesia. In a descriptive qualitative study conducted on fishing communities living in the Merauke area using observation techniques to see the impact of natural resource management on the welfare level of fishermen from the social, economic, and management aspects of mangrove forests that the social and economic conditions of fishermen are quite good, but income as a fisherman is only sufficient to meet primary needs, especially for local fishermen. Meanwhile, the management of mangrove forest resources as an important ecological part in coastal areas around the coast shows that there is a tendency to expand population settlements by utilizing mangrove forest areas as new residential areas that damage the natural ecology in coastal areas. We found that it is necessary to do alternative sources of livelihood that can guarantee sources of community income to improve the welfare of fishermen in coastal areas.