The article aimed to investigate the policies in the environmental law in Indonesia and its effectiveness for the Leuser ecosystem area. The method used in this research was a normative and empirical method through legal, comparative, and historical approach. The data were analyzed based on descriptive analysis through inductive and deductive interpretation. The results showed that the environmental law in Indonesia had undergone significant progress in many aspects, one of which was in a reinforcement of criminal and private law and the implementation of strict liability principle. In addition, the law employs a biocentrism principle aiming to improve people's lives by considering human as the center (anthropocentrism) to a holistic position; that is, all elements are related. However, the environmental law has not successfully been implemented due to the disputes between policymakers in the central and local governments, regarding development and environment, ecology and economy. Moreover, it is because the strict liability principle has not been considered as the foundation for law enforcement yet.

Coastal and island communities depend heavily on marine resources for their food and income. During the west monsoon (September to February), fishermen rarely go to sea, and their activities are limited to the small-scale fisheries, including gleaning the Enhalus acoroides fruits. Participants in this small-scale fishery sector are mainly women; with little or no skill required, these gleaners are often overlooked by the district level fisheries-related census. This case study focused on the role of coastal women with different levels of knowledge and utilization of E. acoroides in three cities/districts of South Sulawesi. This study aimed to determine the contribution of E. acoroides fruit collection to coastal community livelihoods and food security, to identify the impacts, and to seek alternative solutions for seagrass management. Qualitative methods were used to gather information on E. acoroides fruit collection, fishery knowledge, livelihood contributions, perceptions of seagrass condition, and alternative management solutions. Around 90% of E. acoroides fruit collectors were women aged between 30 to 80 years old. Women contribute greatly to livelihoods and food security in coastal areas because they play dominant roles in household affairs and the sale of fishery products. Unfortunately, the methods currently used for collecting E. acoroides fruit can be destructive and may have contributed to the decline in seagrass cover. However, prohibiting the collection of E. acoroides would not be an appropriate solution. A win-win solution is needed to empower women while simultaneously managing seagrass ecosystems sustainably.