When Plastics Dominate the Seas: a Study of the Threat to Coastal Community Development from Plastic Waste

Plastic waste has become a major threat to the sustainable development of coastal communities in the Riau Islands, Indonesia. This study investigates the ecological, health, and economic dimensions of this problem, focusing on how plastic pollution affects marine ecosystems and fishermen’s livelihoods. A qualitative approach was employed using documentary analysis and visual observation in selected coastal areas. The results show that plastic waste contributes to severe ecological degradation, including coral damage, habitat loss, and biodiversity decline. Microplastic contamination in seafood poses chronic health risks to local communities dependent on marine resources. Economically, fishermen face reduced income due to damaged fishing gear and declining catches, reflected in a 12.35% drop in total fishery production from 174,800 tons in late 2023 to 153,218.99 tons in early 2024. These findings highlight the interconnected nature of plastic pollution’s impacts. Addressing this crisis requires collaborative governance among government, industry, and coastal residents to strengthen waste management, reduce plastic dependency, and promote sustainable behavioral change for coastal resilience.