ENABLING AND CONSTRAINING FACTORS IN THE LIVELIHOODS OF POOR FISHERS IN WEST SUMATRA, INDONESIA

Despite a growing national economy and a raft of initiatives designed to improve livelihoods, 39% of fishers in West Sumatra are poor. In this paper, we present the results of interview‐based research with stakeholders in 25 fishing communities in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Thirty‐one enabling and constraining livelihood development factors are identified and classified according to the Sustainable Livelihoods Analysis. We recommend that these factors form a basis from which decision makers ensure that future livelihood improvement programs adequately recognize the integrated nature of poverty amongst poor fishers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.