A Social Ecological System of Recreational Fishing in the Seagrass Meadow Conservation Area on the East Coast of Bintan Island, Indonesia

Abstract

The objective of this research was to map the social ecological system (SES) of recreational fishing in the seagrass meadow conservation area on the east coast of Bintan Island, Indonesia. This mapping was conducted to determine the ecosystem services provided by seagrass habitat in the study area; that is Berakit, Malang Rapat and Teluk Bakau villages. The results of this research show the seagrass ecosystem in the study area provides significant value within the socio-economic framework of the coastal communities in surrounding areas, due to the existence of recreational fishing activity within seagrass habitat. The existence of this recreational fishing may provide direct and indirect economic impacts and induce demand, based on how the economic value of the seagrass ecosystem is distributed, so that the purchasing power of the coastal communities in surrounding areas is strengthened. We hope that this SES mapping may support considerations to protect the seagrass ecosystem and local economic development related to the recreational fishing in the seagrass conservation area.