Policy Capacity in Indonesia's Marine Governance Transformation: A Policy Capacity Framework Analysis of Blue Economy Implementation

Abstract

Indonesia's transition toward a Blue Economy represents a strategic shift from resource extraction to sustainable marine governance that integrates ecological conservation, economic growth, and social inclusion. Despite possessing one of the world's largest marine territories, the implementation of Blue Economy policies continues to face institutional fragmentation, overlapping regulations, limited policy coordination, and disparities in human resource capacity. This study aims to analyze Indonesia's Blue Economy policy using the Policy Capacity Framework by examining analytical, operational, and political capacities across individual, organizational, and system levels. The research employs a qualitative policy analysis approach based on document analysis of national legislation, strategic planning documents, the Indonesia Blue Economy Roadmap 2023–2045, ministerial regulations, and relevant academic literature. The findings indicate that Indonesia has established a comprehensive regulatory architecture supported by constitutional provisions, sectoral legislation, and long-term strategic planning that collectively promote sustainable marine governance. The Blue Economy is founded upon ecological sustainability, economic efficiency, social justice, adaptive governance, and the emerging principle of "Ecology as the Commander," which prioritizes ecosystem health as the basis for long-term economic development. Analysis using the Policy Capacity Framework reveals relatively strong analytical and political capacities at the organizational and system levels, supported by strategic planning, technological innovation, and political commitment. However, significant capacity gaps remain, particularly institutional fragmentation, weak intergovernmental coordination, shortages of specialized human resources, and implementation challenges at the operational level. The study concludes that achieving the ambitious targets of Indonesia's Blue Economy Roadmap including expanding marine protected areas, increasing maritime GDP contribution, and generating green employment requires strengthening policy capacity through integrated governance, enhanced institutional coordination, capacity development, science-based policymaking, and consistent regulatory implementation. The study contributes to public administration scholarship by extending the application of the Policy Capacity Framework to sustainable marine governance in developing maritime states.