<![CDATA[Background. Legal protection for small fishermen is a constitutional mandate, as manifested in Law Number 7 of 2016 concerning the Protection and Empowerment of Fishermen, Fish Cultivators, and Salt Farmers, as well as in Regulation of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Number 33 of 2021 concerning the Log Book of Fishing and Monitoring on Fishing Boats. However, the implementation of the policy still faces various obstacles that contribute an suboptimal legal protection for small fishers. Aims. This study aims to analyze the implementation of legal protection for smallholder fishers under the Regulation of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Number 33 of 2021 and to identify factors that affect its effectiveness in Karangsong Village, Indramayu Regency. Methods. The research employs an empirical legal method with a sociological-juridical approach. Data were obtained through structured interviews, observations, documentation, and literature reviews, and then analyzed qualitatively using the Legal Protection Theory and the Legal Effectiveness Theory of Soerjono Soekanto. Result. The results of the study show that the implementation of legal protection has been carried out through fishermen data collection, issuance of Small E-Passes, ship administration coaching, and preparation for the implementation of log books, but it has not been running optimally due to low literacy and legal awareness of fishermen, limited institutional capacity, lack of supporting facilities and infrastructure, weak coordination between agencies, and socio-economic conditions of fishermen that affect the level of compliance to administrative obligations. Conclusion. This research offers an integrated legal protection model through institutional strengthening, digitization of logbook systems, increased legal literacy, and collaborative governance as an effort to realize legal certainty, smallholder fishers' welfare, and sustainable fisheries management.]]>
