Maritime Paradiplomacy in Fisheries Policy Advocacy in border Areas: A Case Study of Berakit Village, Bintan Regency

Abstract

Indonesia’s decentralised governance system allows subnational actors to engage in cross-border cooperation through paradiplomacy, particularly in maritime border regions where fisheries resources and coastal livelihoods are closely linked to transboundary ecological systems. While paradiplomacy studies have largely focused on economic promotion and city diplomacy, its role in environmental governance-especially in fisheries managementremains underexplored. Conversely, fisheries governance literature tends to prioritise national regulatory regimes and international cooperation frameworks, paying limited attention to the role of subnational actors in cross-border resource governance. This study examines the role of maritime paradiplomacy in Berakit Village, Bintan Regency, Indonesia, in supporting sustainable fisheries governance and marine ecosystem protection. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews with local government officials, fisheries officers, community leaders, fishermen groups, and NGO representatives, complemented by field observations and policy document analysis. The findings indicate that maritime paradiplomacy contributes to several governance outcomes, including strengthened community-based surveillance against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, support for marine spatial planning under the Coastal and Small Islands Zoning Plan (RZWP3K), promotion of environmentally selective fishing gear, and mangrove conservation initiatives. These mechanisms enhance compliance with ecosystem-based fisheries management and reduce risks of fisheries overexploitation. Conceptually, the study expands paradiplomacy scholarship by introducing the concept of maritime environmental paradiplomacy, highlighting how subnational diplomacy can function as a complementary governance mechanism linking local communities, regional authorities, and national institutions in advancing sustainable marine resource management.