Sustainable livelihood of fishermen: a case study in the city of Semarang, Indonesia

Abstract

The study aims to look at the social and economic circumstances of fishermen in Semarang City, their local livelihoods, and the significant role of the state through Semarang Fisheries Service to improve the economic livelihoods and social welfare of this marginal group. It applies a sustainable livelihood framework to look at the compatibility and empowerment process that can affect the Fishermen's Community.

This research used mixed methods to understand the problem and apply narrative techniques for case studies to obtain the data. Different sources of information are used to triangulate information, perspectives, and expected results to increase knowledge in providing information.

The research found that there are some problems in the process of coastal community empowerment in the Semarang coastal area. The problems include the lack of awareness between the Government and Community about the ongoing activities. It also found out the limitations of the ships; means of fishing tools; low quality of human resources; the use of traditional methods and lack of improvising in the marketing of creative marine industry; the political issue from the sovereignty that constraint fishermen activity, and still have certain rules and regulations that hinder the implementation of coastal communities to thrive for sustainable livelihoods. Based on the results and discussion, the concept of empowering coastal fishermen through the sustainable livelihood Assets approach in Semarang City can be carried out with the following steps: Empowerment of social capital, Empowerment of natural capital, Empowerment of physical capital, Empowerment of human capital and Empowerment of financial capital