<![CDATA[Maritime decentralization in archipelagic states is often narrowly understood as the distribution of administrative authority between central and subnational governments over marine areas, without adequately considering the ecological, social, and institutional dimensions inherent in the sea as a common resource. This article aims to reconceptualize maritime decentralization by situating it within the framework of blue governance and examining the multi-level governance challenges associated with its implementation in archipelagic states, with Indonesia serving as the primary empirical reference. The study adopts a qualitative approach using a systematic-narrative literature review method, carried out through four analytical stages: screening the literature based on inclusion-exclusion criteria, extracting key concepts, conducting thematic synthesis across sources, and constructing a conceptual model. The data analyzed were drawn from 22 primary sources published between 2021 and mid-2026, comprising indexed journal articles, international institutional reports, and policy documents. The findings indicate that maritime decentralization has evolved from a model of administrative deconcentration toward substantive devolution and, at an advanced stage, toward polycentric governance involving state, market, and coastal community actors simultaneously, although this shift has not yet been matched by adequate regulatory harmonization across levels of government, sufficient fiscal capacity for island and archipelagic regions, or equitable institutional representation of customary marine communities. Based on these findings, the study produces an adaptive maritime decentralization model grounded in blue governance that integrates the vertical, horizontal, and functional dimensions of governance, supported by ecological fiscal incentive mechanisms and an integrated marine information system. This model carries implications for reconfiguring maritime governance architecture toward a more adaptive, inclusive, and resilient arrangement in archipelagic states]]>
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