Bintan’s Fishermen: Rich Waters but Fragile Lives

Imagine living on the idyllic coast of Bintan Island, Indonesia. Whilst the scenery suggests abundance, local small-scale fishermen occupy a precarious position between sustainability and vulnerability. A recent assessment of 251 fishing households utilised the ‘Sustainable Livelihoods Framework’—a method analysing five types of capital assets—to gauge their resilience. The results presented a striking contrast.

The study found that ‘natural capital’ (access to fish stocks) and ‘physical capital’ (boats and gear) are relatively strong, both scoring 0.69 out of 1. However, the human element is struggling. ‘Human capital’ scored a worrying 0.24, primarily driven by low education levels, whilst ‘financial capital’ lags at 0.48 due to a heavy reliance on debt. These communities face external threats such as climate change, extractive industrialisation, and seasonal oil spills. Yet, the internal lack of ‘social capital’ (0.41)—often caused by structural exclusion from governance—compounds the risk. Researchers suggest that future survival relies on improving financial literacy, ensuring inclusive governance, and diversifying incomes beyond the sea.