Socio-economic Conditions of Fisheries Business (Fishermen, Fish Farmers and Fish Processors) in the Fisheries Cluster Area in West Kutai Regency of East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

Abstract The development of the fisheries cluster area in West Kutai Regency is part of the development policy strategy to improve the socioeconomic conditions of the villages, most of whose lives depend on fisheries resources by working as fishermen, fish farmers, and processors. The fisheries cluster area is expected to become the center of people’s economic development based on superior freshwater fisheries commodities in East Kalimantan Province. The research method is a case study through observations on fishing, aquaculture, and fish processing businesses with purposive sampling responses conducted in May and August 2024, in three areas namely Muara Pahu, Penyinggahan, and Jempang Districts. Observations revealed that the socio-economic conditions of village communities in the fisheries sector are still relatively underdeveloped with the characteristics of micro and small-scale businesses, traditional business technology and management, individual, family, and kinship, limited market accessibility and infrastructure.