fpik umi – Despite Indonesia’s status as a maritime nation endowed with abundant marine resources, achieving sustainable welfare for small-scale fishermen remains a significant challenge. Although the country possesses enormous fisheries potential, many coastal fishermen continue to face economic and social difficulties that affect their quality of life.
This issue became the focus of a research study conducted by Prof. Dr. Ir. H. Abdul Rauf, S.Pi., M.Si., Professor at the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science (FPIK), Universitas Muslim Indonesia (UMI). The research was carried out in collaboration with Wilda Fesanrey, Muh. Kasnir, and Hamsiah, and was successfully published in the internationally reputable Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries (EJABF), Volume 30, Early 2026 Edition.
Entitled "Sustainability-Based Assessment of Small-Scale Fishermen's Welfare in Buru Regency, Maluku Province, Indonesia," the study examines the sustainability of the welfare of small-scale fishermen in Buru Regency, Maluku Province. The research provides a comprehensive assessment of the living conditions of coastal fishermen and identifies the key factors influencing their long-term well-being.
According to Prof. Abdul Rauf, the research evaluated fishermen’s welfare using four main sustainability dimensions: socio-cultural, economic, environmental, and institutional aspects. These indicators were employed to measure the sustainability level of fishermen’s welfare comprehensively.
The findings reveal that the sustainability level of small-scale fishermen’s welfare in Buru Regency remains in the "less sustainable" category, with a sustainability index score of 42.00.
“The results indicate that the sustainability of small-scale fishermen’s welfare in Buru Regency is still classified as less sustainable, with an index score of 42.00. This finding suggests that greater efforts are needed to improve the welfare of coastal communities through sustainable development strategies,” said Prof. Abdul Rauf in an interview on Saturday (June 27, 2026).
The publication is expected to serve as an important scientific reference for policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders in formulating more effective and sustainable fisheries development policies aimed at improving the welfare of Indonesia’s small-scale fishermen.