Caught in the net: unraveling the piracy-IUU fishing milieu in Indonesian waters through survey data

Research on maritime crimes, such as piracy and illegal fishing, has predominantly relied on observational studies, with external observers shaping the narratives about the actors and their motivations. For instance, many studies on Somali piracy highlight the involvement of foreign illegal fishers as a key causal factor. Although some research includes interviews with former pirates, there is a limited understanding of local perspectives on these criminal activities. In this study, we surveyed 578 individuals in 13 different Indonesian fishing communities to explore local knowledge and narratives. To minimize social desirability bias when inquiring about the involvement of local fishers in maritime crimes, we embedded a list experiment into the representative survey. The findings support the crime-milieu hypothesis, indicating local involvement in these crimes. Additionally, the survey results reveal that respondents perceive Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing as significantly more detrimental to their communities compared to maritime piracy. This perception echoes recent concerns of state officials in Indonesia and other regions about maritime resource theft. The insights gained provide a valuable foundation for future research and policy development aimed at improving maritime security and resource management. By focusing on local perspectives, this research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of maritime crimes and their impact on coastal communities.