Dolphin-Watching Tourism as an Instrument for Delivering Justice and Social Empowerment of Marginalized Artisanal Fishers in Kiluan, Lampung, Indonesia

Kamble, Zilmiyah, Welters, Riccardo, Mustika, Putu, and Prinanda, Offal (2025) Dolphin-Watching Tourism as an Instrument for Delivering Justice and Social Empowerment of Marginalized Artisanal Fishers in Kiluan, Lampung, Indonesia. Tourism in Marine Environments, 20 (2). pp. 137-148.

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Abstract

In this paper, we reflect on testimonials of marginalised artisanal fishers, who have adopted dolphin-watching tourism as a supplementary livelihood in Kiluan, Lampung province, Indonesia. These fishers are marginalised predominantly owing to extreme poverty and unsafe working conditions, as they compete for a diminishing resource against industrial large-scale fishers. Dolphin-watching tourism is occupationally similar to fishing and has the potential for being an ideal supplementary livelihood. This preliminary study aims to explore and to ascertain its potential to contribute to social empowerment and eliminate injustices. The research design incorporates a qualitative methodological approach within a transformative paradigm, informed by informal interviews and observations. Dolphin-watching tourism is creating opportunities (for example, income and passive learning, e.g. tourists teaching locals) but there are also risks (cultural harm, community power imbalances and impacts to dolphins). Our critical observations include the adoption of strategies in mindful planning and promoting capacity building. The paper supports the idea that dolphin-watching tourism is an ideal supplemental livelihood, highlighting the importance of the linkage between marginalisation, poverty eradication and social empowerment, to attain blue justice and relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Item ID: 85831
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 2169-0197
Keywords: Social empowerment; Marginalization; Dolphin-watching tourism; Justice; Tourism planning; Social sustainability
Copyright Information: Copyright © 2025 Cognizant.
Date Deposited: 08 Jul 2025 23:57
FoR Codes: 35 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 3508 Tourism > 350801 Impacts of tourism @ 70%
35 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 3508 Tourism > 350803 Tourism management @ 30%
SEO Codes: 11 COMMERCIAL SERVICES AND TOURISM > 1104 Tourism services > 110402 Socio-cultural issues in tourism @ 70%
11 COMMERCIAL SERVICES AND TOURISM > 1104 Tourism services > 110403 Tourism infrastructure development @ 10%
11 COMMERCIAL SERVICES AND TOURISM > 1104 Tourism services > 110401 Economic issues in tourism @ 20%
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