A POLICY AND INNOVATION FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT THROUGH SMART AQUACULTURE AND ECOTOURISM

Abstract

Mangrove ecosystem degradation has increasingly threatened coastal sustainability, particularly in developing countries such as Indonesia. Despite various conservation efforts, existing approaches often lack integration between ecological preservation, economic value creation, and policy-oriented frameworks. This study aims to develop a policy and innovation framework for sustainable mangrove ecosystem management through the integration of smart aquaculture and ecotourism. This research employs a mixed-method approach, combining vegetation analysis, spatial analysis using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), multi-criteria analysis for ecotourism suitability, and AWOT (AHP–SWOT) for strategic formulation. The study was conducted in the Kalimireng coastal area, Gresik, Indonesia, which represents a critical mangrove ecosystem under environmental pressure. The findings reveal that integrating smart aquaculture with mangrove ecotourism enhances both ecological resilience and economic productivity. The proposed model supports sustainable resource utilization by optimizing the balance between conservation and aquaculture activities while creating alternative income sources for local communities. Furthermore, the framework demonstrates strong alignment with sustainable development goals, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and highlights the potential for scalable policy implementation in coastal areas. This study contributes to the literature by offering an integrated policy and business-oriented model that bridges environmental sustainability with economic value creation, providing actionable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and coastal communities.