Our Ocean: Profiling the Blue Economy and Local Development Gaps in Northern Coastal Villages of Central Java

Background: This study aims to map and analyze the disparity in blue economy potential and local development across 100 coastal villages in ten northern coastal regencies of Central Java, Indonesia. Despite the abundant marine resources, development outcomes in these coastal regions appear uneven, suggesting possible gaps between potential and actual village-level development. Methods: The study employs secondary data sources, including the number of fishing households, maritime transportation volumes, and coastal tourism objects. These variables were used to construct a composite Blue Economy Index, which was then compared with the Village Development Index (IDM) and Village SDGs indicators to assess local development status and sustainability. Results: The findings reveal significant disparities between the eastern and western coastal regions. Jepara and Pati exhibit the highest blue economy scores, while Pekalongan and Tegal rank the lowest. Similarly, the levels of development and sustainability, as reflected by IDM and Village SDGs, also vary widely across the study area, indicating development gaps even among regions rich in coastal resources. Conclusion: These results underscore the urgency of strengthening coastal village policies through integrated approaches that enhance local economic resilience while promoting sustainable marine resource management. This descriptive study provides a critical foundation for targeted policy interventions and future hypothesis testing in the broader context of coastal development and sustainable blue economy implementation. Keywords: Blue Economy; Local Economic Development; Village SDG; Coastal Villages; Central Java; Descriptive Analysis