Background Community-based marine governance increasingly relies on capacity development, yet many initiatives remain technocratic, gender-blind, and weakly embedded in local realities. This study developed and tested a capacity-building model for small-scale fisheries in Karimunjawa, Indonesia, integrating three dimensions—human resources, institutional support, and network systems—with explicit attention to participatory communication and gender inclusion. Methods The research type is quantitative, supported by qualitative data from an explanatory survey. Using survey data and tools SEM-PLS, we assessed how social capital, human capital, and participation relate to perceived community control, program benefits, organizational culture, and network capacity. The research type is quantitative, supported by qualitative data from an explanatory survey. The research has an effective goal of connecting several variables through hypothesis testing. This study will examine data from a population sample to determine the relationships between variables. Results Social capital showed robust positive associations with community control, perceived benefits, and pro-social organizational culture, underscoring trust, reciprocity, and dense networks as engines of collective action. Participation contributed to stronger network capacity, aligning engagement in conservation and livelihoods with improved access to infrastructure, finance, and markets. Paths from human capital were generally weak, suggesting that skills alone do not translate into governance gains without enabling institutions and dialogic processes. Model fit and predictive relevance statistics supported the framework, though several constructs exhibited AVE values below conventional thresholds, indicating the need for instrument refinement. Conclusions Overall, embedding gender-responsive, two-way communication within capacity development appears critical for converting community cohesion into durable, equitable conservation of sandfish sea cucumbers ( Holothuria scabra ) and related resources.
Widihastuti et al. (Wed,) studied this question.