<![CDATA[Environmental education serves as a cornerstone for optimizing the blue economy—a sustainable development concept that prioritizes environmental justice and economic advancement for coastal and maritime communities. This study examines the extent to which environmental education can support the blue economy, employing a qualitative research method based on a literature review. The research highlights that integrating environmental education values into blue economy programs is crucial for balancing economic growth with environmental conservation. The economic status of fishing communities across Indonesia's coastal regions remains below the poverty line, partly due to a lack of focus on education; children in these communities often spend their days helping their parents catch fish, while their social interactions are largely confined to fish-trading activities—a situation that frequently leads to school dropouts. In response, the government is striving to align the educational curriculum with the specific circumstances of fishing families through initiatives such as the "Boat Class" (*Kelas Perahu*) program and direct financial assistance via the Smart Indonesia Card (*Kartu Indonesia Pintar*) program. These efforts aim to ensure educational success for these children, enabling them to independently create opportunities to improve their quality of life and economic well-being.]]>
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