Review of the use of mangrove forests in supporting the socio-economic life of fishing communities

Abstract

Mangrove forests have an important function in human life that cannot be replaced by other functions. The existence of mangrove forests has six main functions, namely biological, ecological, physical, social, economic and chemical functions. This article discusses the description of mangrove forest management in meeting the needs of the economic and social functions of the fishing communities on the coast of Merauke Regency, Papua Province, which were reviewed descriptively using relevant literature studies. In terms of economic function, mangrove forests provide economic value for fishing communities because mangrove forests become habitat for crabs, fish and other marine biota that are captured and sold as the main source of family income. In addition, the use of mangrove forests by fishermen on the coast is used as firewood and building materials. The high utilization of mangrove forests by coastal communities that ignores ecological sustainability causes damage to mangrove forests that threatens the sustainability of ecological functions. Damage to mangrove forests in Merauke in the period 2000-2005 was recorded as wide as 2,416 ha while in the 2005-2010 period damage reached 2,233 ha of the total area of the Merauke mangrove forest which reached 216,001.95 Ha or 6.98% of the Merauke forest area. Based on this, the management of mangrove forest utilization needs to get more attention from various parties so that the ecological function of mangrove forests as a condition of sustainable development, especially for fishing communities on the coast, can be realized in Merauke Regency.