Community importance-performance preferences and policy adaptiveness in marine debris management: A case study from the Komodo Subdistrict, Indonesia

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of community engagement in marine debris management under Indonesia's National Action Plan, as stipulated in Presidential Regulation No. 83 of 2018. By integrating Importance-Performance Analysis with Probit and Logit regression models, the research assesses the influence of demographic factors on participation in marine debris management initiatives. The findings reveal that, despite the high value attributed to these initiatives, their effectiveness is notably suboptimal. This lack of effectiveness underscores a significant gap in the practical implementation of Indonesia’s National Action Plan, with pronounced challenges specifically in the Komodo Subdistrict. The analysis exposes a substantial discrepancy between the ambitious goals set by the policy and its actual implementation at the community level, which critically undermines the plan's effectiveness. The study advocates for the development of policies that are not only inclusive and adaptable but also supported by robust enforcement and comprehensive local capacity-building efforts. It further proposes that a strategic focus on demographic-specific initiatives and conducting in-depth qualitative research into community motivations can greatly enhance participation. Moreover, the research highlights the need for policies to better address the specifics of local contexts, suggesting that targeted, community-specific interventions could bridge the gap between policy intentions and actual outcomes. The findings offer crucial insights for policymakers in Indonesia and other developing nations, emphasizing the importance of a detailed, context-sensitive approach to policy implementation that effectively manages marine debris and contributes to the sustainability of marine environments.