nelayan

Nelayan is the Indonesian term for a person who earns a living by catching fish and other aquatic resources from seas, rivers, or lakes. The term covers coastal and inland fishers and their households.

Nelayan can be broadly categorized into traditional artisanal fishers and more industrialized operators. Traditional nelayan often work from small boats with sails or small motors and rely on simple gear such as nets, traps, and hand lines. In more developed settings, nelayan may operate larger vessels with modern gear and navigation equipment; however many continue to practice small-scale, low-impact fishing.

They play a central economic and social role in coastal communities, providing food and livelihoods, contributing to local markets, and supporting related sectors such as processing, marketing, and maintenance. In Indonesia and parts of Southeast Asia, millions identify as nelayan, and fishing activities can be seasonally influenced by weather, tidal cycles, and monsoon patterns.

Common challenges include overfishing and depleted stocks, climate variability, and governance issues such as access rights, licensing, and enforcement against illegal fishing. Small-scale nelayan are often vulnerable to economic shocks, price volatility, and accidents at sea, highlighting the need for social protection, safety training, and sustainable management of fisheries.

Governments and organizations implement policy measures to support nelayan with access to credit, gear, training, and fishery management plans, aiming to balance livelihoods with resource conservation.