The Bajau as a left-behind group in the context of coastal and marine co-management system in Indonesia

The Bajau are a sea nomad group in Indonesia with the largest proportion of population living nearby or utilizing marine resources fragile pelagic zone. In general, have been left-behind and thus occupied peripheral role coastal management conservation. Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi Province, communities marginalized terms policy recognition development plan. This paper explores how co-management system which is platform to synchronize community organization needs customary practices has failed recruit Bajau’s participation. primary data were collected using multi-sited ethnographic method five villages Wakatobi key informant interviews related stakeholders. inter-customary controls for management, issue social cohesion within communities, lack institutional support investigated as drivers failure Wakatobi. implementation requires multi-sectoral agreement socio-cultural consideration. Unless acknowledged, accepted, involved an important partner conservation, success remains doubt.