Nelayan memiliki peran yang sangat strategis pada sektor kelautan dan perikanan. Peran tersebut sudah semestinya dihargai dalam bentuk perlindungan dan pemberdayaan baik untuk kehidupan maupun usaha nelayan. Penelitian ini bertujuan memberikan gambaran tetang bagaimana kondisi eksisting dan permasalahan dalam upaya perlindungan nelayan. Lokasi penelitian di Kabupaten Indramayu, Cilacap, Merauke dan Buton. Metode penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif. Jenis data yang dikumpulkan meliputi aspek perlindungan nelayan yang tercantum dalam undang-undang perlindungan nelayan yang meliputi: Ketersediaan sarana dan prasarana perikanan; kepastian usaha pada masyarakat nelayan; peningkatan kemampuan dan kapasitas nelayan; penguatan kelembagaan dalam mengelola sumber daya Ikan dan mengembangkan prinsip kelestarian lingkungan; sistem dan kelembagaan pembiayaan yang melayani kepentingan usaha; perlindungan nelayan terhadap risiko bencana alam, perubahan iklim, serta pencemaran; dan sistem jaminan keamanan dan keselamatan serta bantuan hukum bagi nelayan. Analisis data dilakukan secara kualitatif dan kemudian dilakukan pembahasan. Selanjutnya berdasarkan hasil pembahasan diambil kesimpulan sebagai jawaban dari rumusan masalah. Berbagai persoalan masih sering menghimpit nelayan terutama para ABK dan buruh seperti ketidakpastian usaha, ketidakadilan dalam pembagian upah, resiko usaha yang tinggi, dan kurangnya jaminan serta pendampingan hukum. Rekomendasi disarankan perlu pengembangan investasi secara terpadu, baik pengembangan perikanan di sentra-sentra usaha perikanan tangkap, peningkatan operasional pelabuhan perikanan sesuai peran dan fungsinya, sosialisasi dan pembinaan terhadap nelayan tentang pentingnya asuransi nelayan sebagai jaminan resiko dalam usaha penangkapan ikan, pemerintah perlu meningkatkan jaminan dan pendampingan hukum bagi nelayan, terutama anak buah kapal di kapal-kapal besar. Title: Fisher’s Safeguard to Capture Fisheries Business SustainabilityFisher’s have a strategic role in the marine and fisheries sector. That role should be appreciated in the form of protection and empowerment life and fishing effort. This study aims to provide an overview of the existing conditions and problems in the protection of fishermen. The research locations are Indramayu, Cilacap, Merauke and Buton. The research method was used a qualitative approach. The types of data collected include fishing protection aspects contained in the fishing protection laws that include: availability of facilities and infrastructure to fisheries; business certainty on fishing communities; increasing of fishermen capability and capacity, strengthening institutional capacities in managing fish resources and develop the principles of environmental sustainability; financing systems and institutions that serve the interests of the business; fishing protection against the risk of natural disasters, climate change, and pollution; and security and safety system as well as legal aid for fishermen. The data were analyzed qualitatively and then be discussed. The conclusions were used as an answer of any problems. Various problems still often choke the fishermen, especially the crew and workers as business uncertainty, injustice in the distribution of wages, high business risk, and the lack of guarantees as well as legal assistance. Recommendations suggested are integrated investation development, both in the development of fisheries in the centers of fishery business, improvements of fishing ports operational based on role and function, socialization and training to the fishermen about the importance of insurance fisherman as security risk in fishing effort. The government needs to increase the guarantee and legal aid for fishermen, especially the crews of large vessels..