SEA LOVE MONTH: INNOVATION IN HANDLING PLASTIC WASTE IN THE SEA THROUGH THE FISHERMAN PARTICIPATION MOVEMENT

Abstract

Marine pollution caused by plastic waste is a serious threat to the sustainability of Indonesia’s marine and fishery resources. As the largest archipelagic country, Indonesia faces major challenges in controlling the influx of plastic waste into the ocean, most of which originates from land-based human activities. In response, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) launched the Sea Love Month (Bulan Cinta Laut or BCL) program in 2022 as an innovative initiative based on fishermen’s participation in tackling marine plastic pollution. This movement supports the national target of reducing marine debris by 70% by 2025, as mandated by Presidential Regulation No. 83 of 2018. BCL emphasizes the active involvement of fishermen in collecting plastic waste during fishing activities, while also strengthening public awareness and education in coastal communities about the importance of maintaining ocean cleanliness. This program is part of MMAF’s blue economy policy, which promotes a pentahelix collaboration approach involving government, business sectors, academia, communities, and media. As of 2024, BCL has reached 54 coastal locations across Indonesia, involving more than 4,600 fishermen and successfully collecting over 1,000 tons of marine debris. With its community-based and sustainable approach, BCL serves not only as a marine pollution control initiative but also as a platform to foster collective awareness and social responsibility for the marine environment. The program demonstrates that synergy between government policy and grassroots action is essential to addressing the crisis of marine plastic pollution in Indonesia.