Fishermen from Suka Damai Village, Riau, Develop Community-Based Tourism for Sustainable Coastal Management

Suka Damai Village is one of the villages on Rupat Island, Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province. Rupat Island is categorized as a small island in Indonesia. For decades, Rupat Island has been damaged by sea sand mining, even exported before finally being stopped in 2002. This sea sand mining has damaged the ecosystem of Rupat Island, such as causing mangrove ecosystems and seagrass beds to the risk of sinking small islands. Fishing areas have also been drastically reduced due to the mining, reducing residents' income from fishing. Local residents concerned about the sustainability of Rupat Island, including fishermen, have been protesting since 2021. This action reaped results when the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) permanently stopped the practice of sea sand mining in 2023. Although the sea sand mining was successfully stopped, the community remains concerned that other companies will come to mine their sea sand again.

To protect fishing grounds and create economic solutions for fishermen, the Beting Aceh Traditional Fishermen Group is being encouraged to develop Indigenous Community-based tourism. This program is also being implemented because the region is a National Strategic Tourism Area (KPSN) and a Regional Strategic Tourism Area (KPSD). Assistance is provided by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI).WALHI) in collaboration with Green Faith Indonesia, the Beting Aceh Traditional Fishermen Group received training to increase community capacity in coastal and small island management through Indigenous Community-based tourism. The activity involved 23 participants, consisting of 15 men and 8 women. The training also provided the community with knowledge regarding regulations and policies related to small island, sand, and sea management, as well as the ability to identify threats and potentials on Rupat Island. The training was conducted for three months, starting in December 2024.

The training has had an impact and changed the lives of fishermen in Suka Damai Village. The collective economic impact can be seen in the fishermen of Suka Damai Village having a new strategy in managing based on wisdom by integrating new economic improvement efforts and preservation of the North Rupat marine ecosystem. Meanwhile, the impact of community education, fishermen of Suka Damai Village experienced increased knowledge regarding coastal, marine, and island management and integrated it as a collective economic opportunity that directly involves Indigenous Communities. This program has an ecological impact on an area of ​​5.030 hectares and a social impact on 915 people who inhabit Rupat Island. The program also has a social impact on 347 men, 339 women, and 229 young people on Rupat Island.