Respect the Locals: Integrating Sociocultural Dynamics for Effective Marine Conservation in Coastal Indonesia

Abstract Power dynamics between sovereign entities and local communities are a determinant component of conservation policy in terms of meeting ecological protection goals and ensuring the well-being of local people. There is high pressure for marine conservation programs to generate successful ecological outcomes in the face of our current environmental crisis. However, natural science should not be the only information guiding conservation policy; it is equally - if not more - crucial to consider the social aspect of conservation initiatives to develop effective long-term solutions. Indonesia is a global cornerstone of marine conservation due to its high levels of biodiversity and rich natural resources, which are currently threatened by overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change. There are many conservation programs throughout the Indonesian archipelago, all of which have achieved varying degrees of ecological and social success. The goal of this thesis is to identify common attributes of successful Indonesian conservation programs and make general recommendations based on those characteristics for environmental policies worldwide. Through a review of current literature on Indonesian conservation, I have found that successful programs apply (1) a biocultural perspective, (2) co-management strategies with an emphasis on the devolution of power, (3) local wisdom/indigenous knowledge system (IKS) consideration and the inclusion of indigenous minority input, and (4) improved and diverse alternative livelihood options. Ultimately, local agency and the inclusion of regional context in policy design are paramount in the development of impactful conservation programs around the world.