Coastal Environmental Conditions Alone Do Not Guarantee Household Food Security in Papua
MANOKWARI, WEST PAPUA – Abundant coastal resources do not automatically ensure better household food security. This is the key finding of a study conducted by Enggeline K.M. Kapisa, a postgraduate student in Environmental Science at the University of Papua, together with Dr. Ishak Musaad and Dr. Nouke L. Mawikere from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Papua. Published in 2026 in the International Journal of Advanced Technology and Social Sciences (IJATSS), the study examined the relationship between coastal environmental conditions, local food access, and household food security in Pasirido Village, Manokwari Regency, West Papua. The research is particularly relevant because coastal communities are often assumed to enjoy better food security due to their direct access to marine resources. However, many coastal households across Indonesia, including those in Papua, continue to face food security challenges caused by environmental degradation, pollution, climate variability, and economic limitations. These conditions prompted researchers to investigate which factors most strongly influence the ability of coastal families to secure sufficient food. Pasirido Village was selected as the study site because most residents depend on fisheries and marine resources for their livelihoods. Despite the area’s rich fishing potential, local communities also face environmental pressures, including marine pollution, changing weather patterns, and increasing dependence on market-purchased food. The study employed a quantitative survey involving 80 household heads. Data were collected through structured interviews and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS), a statistical approach that enables researchers to examine complex relationships among environmental, socioeconomic, and food security factors simultaneously.
The findings revealed that fisheries remain the primary source of income for the Pasirido community. Approximately 41.25 percent of respondents worked as fishers, while others combined fishing with farming or other occupations. In terms of education, most respondents had completed senior high school, indicating a moderate level of educational attainment within the community. One notable finding concerns the condition of the coastal environment. All respondents reported having access to clean water, primarily from wells with clear, non-saline water. However, every respondent also acknowledged the presence of marine pollution in the coastal area. Household waste and domestic refuse were identified as the most common sources of pollution. Despite these environmental challenges, local food resources remain relatively abundant. Fish continue to be the main food commodity obtained from the sea. In addition, more than half of the surveyed households maintain small gardens where they grow vegetables, tubers, and fruits. Most respondents rated local food availability as adequate or very adequate. Nevertheless, the study found that all households still relied heavily on food purchased from local markets as their primary food source. This dependence indicates that locally available food resources alone are not sufficient to meet daily nutritional needs. As a result, households remain vulnerable to food price increases and economic instability. Overall, household food security in Pasirido was classified as relatively good. About 83.75 percent of respondents reported having food available throughout the month. Half of the households maintained food reserves sufficient for one to two weeks, while more than a quarter had supplies that could last longer than two weeks.
The statistical analysis produced a particularly important insight. Coastal environmental characteristics significantly improved local food access, meaning healthier and more productive ecosystems increased opportunities to obtain food from marine and coastal resources. However, environmental conditions did not have a statistically significant direct effect on household food security. Instead, socioeconomic factors emerged as the strongest determinant of food security. Household income, employment, education, and overall economic capacity had the most significant influence on a family’s ability to secure food consistently. In other words, abundant fish stocks and productive coastal ecosystems do not necessarily translate into better food security if households lack sufficient economic resources. According to Enggeline K.M. Kapisa and her colleagues from the University of Papua, the findings demonstrate that household food security in coastal communities is shaped more by socioeconomic resilience than by environmental resources alone. A healthy environment can support food availability, but its benefits can only be fully realized when households possess adequate income, education, and economic opportunities. The study carries important implications for policymakers and regional governments. Efforts to strengthen food security in coastal areas should not focus solely on environmental conservation or fisheries development. These initiatives need to be complemented by programs that improve household welfare through livelihood diversification, economic empowerment, educational advancement, and support for local resource-based enterprises. The research also highlights the long-term risks posed by marine pollution in Pasirido. If left unmanaged, environmental degradation could threaten the sustainability of coastal food systems and reduce the availability of marine resources in the future. Therefore, waste management and coastal conservation should become integral components of regional development strategies.
Author Profiles
Enggeline K.M. Kapisa, S.P. is a researcher and postgraduate student in Environmental Science at the University of Papua. Her research interests include food security, coastal environmental management, and sustainable development.
Dr. Ishak Musaad is a lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Papua, specializing in agricultural development, agricultural socioeconomics, and food security.
Dr. Nouke L. Mawikere is an academic at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Papua, whose expertise includes natural resource management, coastal development, and sustainable local food systems.
Research Source
Kapisa, E.K.M., Musaad, I., & Mawikere, N.L. (2026). “The Role of Coastal Environmental Characteristics in Shaping Local Food Access and Household Food Security in Pasirido, Manokwari.” International Journal of Advanced Technology and Social Sciences (IJATSS), Vol. 4, No. 6, pp. 541–564.
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