<![CDATA[This research is titled "The Legal Responsibility of the Local Government regarding Coral Reef Protection in the Argapura Coastal Area, Jayapura City." The study aims to analyze the local government's legal responsibility for coral reef protection and to identify obstacles in its implementation. Coral reefs are coastal ecosystems serving ecological, social, and economic functions; thus, their existence requires protection through sustainable coastal area management. The legal basis for coral reef protection comprises Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management; Law Number 27 of 2007 (as amended by Law Number 1 of 2014) concerning the Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands; and Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government. This study employs a normative legal research method utilizing both the statute approach and the conceptual approach. Research materials were gathered through a literature review of primary, secondary, and tertiary legal sources related to environmental protection, coastal area management, local government authority, and coral reef protection. The analysis of legal materials was conducted qualitatively, employing legal interpretation and systematic juridical analysis. The research findings indicate that the local government's legal responsibility for coral reef protection encompasses planning, management, supervision, control, and law enforcement within coastal area management, in accordance with the authority granted by statutory regulations. However, the implementation of these responsibilities in the Argapura coastal area of Jayapura City has not been optimal. This is attributed to limitations regarding supervision, facilities and infrastructure, resources and budget, and inter-agency coordination, as well as suboptimal community involvement in coral reef protection. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the exercise of local government authority by enhancing oversight, inter-agency coordination, and the provision of supporting facilities, as well as through law enforcement and increased public participation in the sustainable protection and management of coral reefs.]]>
