The Trap of the Blue Economy: Evidence from Lombok Island, Indonesia

Besides being known for its natural tourist destinations and beautiful beaches, Lombok Island in Indonesia is also known for its abundant marine and fishery potential, which can be used as development vehicles for the island’s people. However, its richness in marine resources does not contribute significantly to its people’s living standards and economic development. This research aims to investigate the practice of the Blue Economy in a marine wealth region. While many disciplines touch upon the concept of a Blue Economy, little research has examined the ocean-poverty connection in Lombok Island. This article argues that the potential of Lombok’s Blue Economy has not alleviated poverty since the local condition does not support a tendency against romanticizing the notion of Blue Economy as a global developmental platform. The substantial marine potential of the island cannot provide maximum benefit for the people’s welfare due to multiple factors, including financial, human resources, infrastructure, and the government’s goodwill. The significance of this research presents empirical evidence of a missing link in the ocean-poverty nexus. This research examines five drivers of the Blue Economy on the island: pearl, seaweed, fisheries, mangrove, and marine tourism. We maintain a paradox of plenty on the island since the potential from these drivers is immense to address the poverty in Lombok, yet the progress seems idle.