Systematic Review of Coastal Community Well-Being as Research Implementation and Challenges

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Jakarta— UTMJ Study Calls for Comprehensive Measurement of Coastal Community Welfare. Research conducted by Peggy Ratna Marlianingrum, Suhana, Sandra Dewi Elizabet Kaunang, and Sander Noferiyansyah from the Fisheries Socioeconomics Study Program, Muhammadiyah University of Technology Jakarta (UTMJ), was published in the Contemporary Journal of Applied Sciences (CJAS), Vol. 4 No. 2, in February 2026.

The research conducted by Peggy Ratna Marlianingrum, Suhana, Sandra Dewi Elizabet Kaunang, and Sander Noferiyansyah examined various models for measuring coastal well-being. This study is important because Indonesia has the second-longest coastline in the world and millions of people depend on coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, for their livelihoods.

Why Coastal Welfare Measurement Matters

Indonesia has the second-longest coastline in the world, stretching more than 99,000 kilometers and encompassing over 17,000 islands. Millions of Indonesians depend on coastal ecosystems for their livelihoods, especially fisheries and mangrove forests. These areas provide economic opportunities, protect shorelines, and support marine biodiversity.

However, coastal regions also face serious challenges, including abrasion, mangrove degradation, declining fish stocks, and persistent poverty among fishing communities. Many coastal residents still have limited access to education, healthcare, and stable income sources.

Despite these realities, welfare assessments have largely focused on income and basic needs, without fully accounting for environmental sustainability. According to the UTMJ researchers, this narrow approach has weakened policy effectiveness and slowed poverty reduction efforts.

Reviewing Existing Welfare Models

The research team conducted a systematic literature review of academic studies published between 2013 and 2024. They analyzed various national and international journals discussing coastal community welfare and development.

Their review found that most existing welfare measurement models rely on:

• World Bank poverty indicators
• Food sufficiency and consumption standards
• Family welfare indicators from BKKBN
• SWOT analysis
• Social and economic development frameworks
• Community empowerment programs

While these models provide useful insights, they mainly emphasize economic output and access to services. The ecological contribution of mangrove forests—such as shoreline protection and fish habitat—has rarely been included in welfare calculations.

Marlianingrum and her colleagues argue that this omission leads to incomplete policy evaluations and misdirected development programs.

Real Conditions in Coastal Communities

The reviewed studies describe recurring structural problems faced by fishing communities, including:

• Dependence on middlemen and informal lenders
• Limited access to capital and modern equipment
• Unstable fish catches due to climate and environmental changes
• Low educational attainment
• Lack of alternative livelihoods

Some research shows that strengthening fishermen’s cooperatives can improve market bargaining power and income stability. Others demonstrate that integrated pond farming, combining seaweed and milkfish cultivation, significantly increases household income when supported by sufficient capital.

Family-based welfare assessments using BKKBN indicators also help classify living standards, but they still fail to incorporate environmental sustainability.

Mangrove Ecotourism as an Alternative Strategy

The literature also highlights mangrove ecotourism as a promising development model. Community-based mangrove tourism can:

• Increase village income through entrance fees and services
• Create new employment opportunities
• Reduce dependence on fishing alone
• Promote environmental awareness

When managed locally, ecotourism supports both conservation and economic resilience.

The Main Challenge: Building an Integrated Index

One of the study’s central conclusions is the absence of a unified welfare index that combines three core dimensions:

1. Social well-being
2. Economic security
3. Environmental sustainability

Most existing studies treat these aspects separately. In reality, coastal livelihoods are deeply dependent on ecosystem health, especially mangrove forests.

The authors recommend developing a multidimensional coastal welfare index that reflects real living conditions and ecological dependence. Such an index could serve as a stronger foundation for national and regional policy.

Implications for Public Policy

The study emphasizes that improving coastal welfare cannot rely solely on short-term assistance, such as distributing fishing equipment or subsidies. Sustainable progress requires:

• Expanded access to education and vocational training
• Stronger environmental protection policies
• Institutional strengthening of fishermen’s organizations
• Diversification of income sources
• Integration of ecological indicators into development planning

According to the UTMJ research team, combining social, economic, and environmental perspectives will lead to more adaptive and inclusive coastal governance.

This approach is relevant for local governments, national ministries, development agencies, and private sector actors involved in fisheries, tourism, and coastal infrastructure.

Author Profiles

• Peggy Ratna Marlianingrum, S.Pi., M.Si._Universitas Teknologi Muhammadiyah Jakarta
• Suhana, S.Pi., M.Si._Universitas Teknologi Muhammadiyah Jakarta 
• Sandra Dewi Elizabet Kaunang, S.Pi., M.Si._Universitas Teknologi Muhammadiyah Jakarta 
• Sander Noferiyansyah_Universitas Teknologi Muhammadiyah Jakarta 

Research Source

Marlianingrum, P. R., Suhana, Kaunang, S. D. E., & Noferiyansyah. (2026). Systematic Review of Coastal Community Well-Being as Research Implementation and Challenges.Contemporary Journal of Applied Sciences (CJAS), Vol. 4 No. 2, 71–84.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/cjas.v4i2.127

URL: https://ntlformosapublisher.org/index.php/cjas