IMPLEMENTASI PROGRAM KARTU PELAKU USAHA KELAUTAN DAN PERIKANAN (KUSUKA) DI KECAMATAN MEDANG DERAS KABUPATEN BATUBARA

Abstract

The Marine and Fisheries Business Actor Card (KUSUKA), regulated under the Regulation of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Number 42 of 2022, was designed as a single identity for marine and fisheries business actors. In addition, KUSUKA functions as a database, a protection instrument, and a requirement for accessing government empowerment programs. In Medang Deras Sub-district, Batubara Regency, there are more than 23,000 fishermen; however, only 1,533 or about 6.6% have obtained KUSUKA, while 93.4% remain unregistered. This significant gap between policy targets and field realities forms the background of this study. This research employed a qualitative approach focusing on an in-depth understanding of the policy implementation process. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with officials from the Fisheries Agency, fishery extension workers, village officials, and fishermen as the main policy targets. Observation techniques and document review were also applied to strengthen the data. The analysis referred to six parameters of policy implementation according to Van Meter and Van Horn: policy standards and objectives, resources, characteristics of implementing agents, implementers’ disposition, inter-organizational communication, and social, economic, and political environments. The findings revealed several major challenges. In terms of resources, the number of extension workers was disproportionate to the large fishing population, the budget for socialization was limited, the KUSUKA application often encountered technical issues, and internet connectivity in coastal villages was weak. The characteristics of implementing agents reflected formal commitment, but inter-agency coordination was ineffective and bureaucracy tended to respond slowly. The implementers’ disposition was largely administrative, lacking persuasive or innovative strategies to encourage registration. Inter-organizational communication was weak, leading to unclear dissemination of information on KUSUKA’s benefits and procedures. Fishermen often struggled with the registration process, while village officials also lacked mastery of the mechanism. Furthermore, social, economic, and political conditions posed obstacles, including low education levels, limited digital literacy, fishermen’s daily-oriented economy, and minimal political support from local leaders.