Sidelining sustainability: the impact of sea sand mining in Indonesia’s Riau islands

Purpose This research examines the ecological and economic impacts of marine sand mining in Indonesia’s Riau Islands Province. It analyzes contradictions between Government Regulation No. 26/2023 – which permits marine sand exports – and sustainable development principles, particularly Blue Economy concepts and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Design/methodology/approach This study employs qualitative research methods with systematic literature review. The analysis applies Blue Economy and SDG frameworks, specifically examining SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals). Findings Marine sand mining exhibits fundamental contradictions with Blue Economy principles and SDGs. Mining activities cause severe ecological damage. These include coral reef destruction, seagrass bed degradation and mangrove forest loss. Additional impacts include accelerated coastal erosion and increased marine pollution. While generating potential state revenue of trillions of rupiah, the policy primarily benefits a limited number of corporate actors. Meanwhile, substantial environmental and social costs are imposed on coastal communities. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to literature-based analysis focusing on Riau Islands Province. Future research should incorporate primary field data and broader geographical coverage. This would validate findings across different Indonesian maritime regions. Practical implications Findings recommend comprehensive policy revision. This includes mandatory environmental impact assessments, strengthened interagency coordination and enhanced stakeholder participation. Integration of ecosystem service valuations into decision-making processes is essential. These measures would prevent maritime conflicts and ensure sustainable marine resource management. Social implications Marine sand mining disproportionately affects coastal communities, particularly fishermen dependent on healthy marine ecosystems. The policy threatens traditional fishing grounds and reduces marine biodiversity. It accelerates coastal erosion, increasing vulnerability to natural disasters. While creating limited employment in extraction activities, long-term social costs include displacement of fishing communities, loss of marine-based cultural heritage and increased social inequality as benefits concentrate among corporate stakeholders rather than local populations. Originality/value This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of Indonesia’s marine sand export policy reversal through integrated Blue Economy and SDG frameworks. It specifically examines the Riau Islands case. The research contributes original insights into contradictions between economic development priorities and environmental sustainability commitments in Indonesian maritime policy. By analyzing the 20-year policy transformation from prohibition to selective reopening, this work offers empirical evidence for policymakers, environmental scholars and sustainable development practitioners addressing similar resource management dilemmas in archipelagic nations.