EMPOWERING COASTAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH SUSTAINABLE MARINE-BASED ENTREPRENEURSHIP: A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM IN LOMBOK, INDONESIA

Abstract

Coastal communities play a crucial role in the marine economy; however, many continue to face socioeconomic vulnerabilities despite the abundant marine resources available. In Lombok Island, Indonesia, coastal livelihoods remain constrained by low value-added production, limited entrepreneurial capacity, restricted market access, and high dependence on primary marine resource extraction. This study aims to examine the development of sustainable marine-based entrepreneurship as a strategy for empowering coastal communities and promoting inclusive blue economy development in Lombok. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach using observation methods to explore coastal economic activities, marine resource utilization, community participation, and factors influencing the development of sustainable marine-based enterprises. The findings reveal that fisheries product innovation, community-based marine tourism, women’s participation, and strengthening local institutions are key components in enhancing coastal community resilience. Value-added processing of fisheries and seaweed products contributes to improved economic opportunities by transforming communities from raw material suppliers into producers of higher-value marine products. Furthermore, community-based ecotourism provides alternative livelihoods, while gender-inclusive empowerment expands economic participation and household welfare improvement. The study also highlights that integrating local knowledge, community engagement, and sustainable resource management is essential for ensuring the long-term viability of marine-based entrepreneurship. Therefore, sustainable marine-based entrepreneurship should be developed through an integrated approach that combines economic empowerment, social inclusion, and environmental conservation. This approach provides an important pathway toward achieving an inclusive and equitable blue economy while strengthening the resilience of coastal communities in Lombok Island.