Social and Political Corner
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): Social and Political Corner - January 2026

Between Enforcement and Compliance: Navigating Regulatory Gaps and Local Realities in the Governance of Mini Trawl Fishing in West Aceh’s Coastal Waters

Aditya Riski Indra Pratama (Universitas Teuku Umar)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Jan 2026

Abstract

This study examines the institutional strategies and challenges in supervising the use of mini trawl fishing gear in West Aceh, Indonesia. Despite the existence of regulatory frameworks banning mini trawls due to their destructive ecological impact, enforcement remains inconsistent and fragmented. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis involving key agencies such as the Marine and Fisheries Office (DKP), Satwas SDKP, Water Police, and Navy. The findings reveal that institutional coordination is weak, with overlapping roles, limited patrol resources, and inadequate personnel training, all of which hinder effective supervision. Enforcement efforts vary across institutions, ranging from education-based approaches to legal prosecution. However, community compliance remains low due to economic dependency on mini trawls, lack of alternative livelihoods, and minimal engagement in regulatory processes. This gap between enforcement and compliance reflects broader regulatory and governance challenges. The study concludes that improving supervision effectiveness requires integrated inter-agency collaboration, enhanced field capacity, community-based monitoring, and policy approaches that balance ecological sustainability with socioeconomic realities. These findings contribute to the discourse on sustainable fisheries governance in Indonesia and offer practical insights for policymakers and local institutions to improve marine resource protection at the community level.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

spc

Publisher

Subject

Description

The aim of this journal publication is to disseminate the conceptual thoughts or ideas and research results that have been achieved in the area of social, governmental, and political science. The journal primarily focuses on the politics of governments and socio-political dynamics of the people, but ...