Policy Network Structure and Environmental Context: Performance of the Implementation of the Captured Fishermen Poverty Alleviation Policy in Jeneponto

Abstract

Poverty alleviation is one of the government's priority issues targeting various regions, especially the 3T (frontier and outermost) areas. In the context of South Sulawesi Province, Jeneponto Regency will be the region with a high percentage of poor people in 2024, with coastal areas being the area with the largest percentage. This condition indicates that fishermen, as the main livelihood of the Jeneponto coastal community, have not been able to improve their economic welfare. This is partly due to the lack of alternative economic sources, so that environmental conditions have a significant influence on fishermen's economic activities. This study aims to analyze the policy network implementation of poverty alleviation for capture fishermen in Jeneponto Regency using the Policy Network theory proposed by Normann (2017), which contains four aspects: Network Environment, Actor Interests and Resources, Network Structure, and Network Change. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study design that focuses only on policy implementation in Jeneponto Regency. The results of the study indicate that the highly dynamic environmental conditions are not accompanied by an appropriate government response, which is indicated by the programs and assistance provided to fishermen that still do not focus on environmental aspects or other business alternatives. Furthermore, the assistance provided does not emphasize the adaptability or safety of fishermen in unstable environmental conditions. Regarding the network structure, it is still dominated by the government, thus limiting the role of the community or other actors. This situation also indicates a lack of collaborative resource sharing among relevant actors, necessitating further collaboration and coordination regarding the implementation of poverty alleviation policies for fishing communities.