Abstract
Panjang Island, Jepara, is a conservation area in the northern part of Jepara Regency, Central Java, where the local community’s economy relies on capture fisheries and tourism. However, human activities and environmental changes have degraded the coral reef ecosystem, threatening the island’s sustainability and local livelihoods. This study aimed to assess the sustainability status of Panjang Island across various dimensions in response to these significant pressures. A descriptive quantitative method was employed. Observations of ecological variables, such as coral cover and recruitment, were conducted using the line-intercept transect method, while reef fish were surveyed using underwater visual census methods, and biodiversity indices were calculated manually. The social, economic, and institutional dimensions were assessed through interviews and focus group discussions. Although the ecological, institutional, and social dimensions are moderately sustainable, the main finding indicates that the economic dimension remains less sustainable. Enhancing community participation, governance, and capacity-building programmes is essential to support sustainable resource use and protect the island’s ecosystem in the long term. These findings highlight the urgent need for synergistic and holistic management strategies that prioritize the improvement of local economic opportunities. Such an integrated approach is crucial for achieving balanced and genuinely sustainable coral reef management on Panjang Island.