Kendari Bay is experiencing the degradation of environmental condition. In order to restore the coastal area environment, reclamation policies have been implemented in the area. This study aims to analyze the sustainability status of the Kendari Bay reclamation areas and to propose development strategies in order to improve the sustainability status of the Kendari Bay reclamation areas. Assessment of sustainability status in Kendari Bay Reclamation areas was carried out using the Rapid Appraisal for Fisheries (RAPFISH) method based on 4 dimensions of sustainability: environmental, social, economic and legal and institutional with 20 assessments attributes. The result revealed that 3 out of 4 dimensions, namely environmental, social, and legal and institutional were categorized as ‘less sustainable’. Whereas, the economic dimension was at ‘fairly sustainable’ status. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis concluded that several alternative strategies are required to improve the sustainability status of Kendari Bay reclamation areas, with greater emphasis placed on the green economy, followed by the establishment of a specific agency, and sediment management. The study findings recommended to apply the concept of integrated coastal management (ICM) as a comprehensive solution to improve the sustainability of the area.

Keywords: Regional development; sustainability status; RAPFISH; AHP