Media Contacts
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A Yoseph Wihartono
MERA Communication and Reporting Staff
Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara
Email: a.wihartono@ykan.or.id
The shrimp farmers supported by the MESTI Program in Pegat Batumbuk Village, Pulau Derawan Subdistrict, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, successfully harvested tiger prawns on Wednesday (21/8). The harvest event was witnessed by the Regent of Berau, Sri Juniarsih Mas, represented by the Acting Head of the Fisheries Department and Expert Staff to the Regent of Berau, Jaka Siswanta, along with representatives from other local organizations and representatives from the Nusantara Nature Conservation Foundation (YKAN), Pact, and Chevron.
The shrimp farmers of Pegat Batumbuk have successfully practiced environmentally friendly traditional shrimp farming developed by YKAN and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. This was in response to the need to create a new sustainable shrimp farm design and better document shrimp farm operations to meet international standards.
Abdurahman, one of the farmers who practices sustainable shrimp farming, said that when he first joined the MESTI Program, the harvest yield was only about 3.5 kilograms. Gradually, the harvest increased to 9 kilograms, then 35 kilograms, and finally, during this mass harvest, it reached 50 kilograms. "The harvest cycle has also become faster. It used to be every 3 or 4 months, but now we can harvest every 2 months. In addition, we also get other harvests, such as milkfish and crabs, which have continued to increase in number," said Abdurahman.
This new sustainable aquaculture model aims to achieve the same productivity on a 2-hectare shrimp farm as on a larger 10-hectare shrimp farm. Converting mangroves into aquaculture, especially shrimp farms, has led to the loss of mangroves in Kalimantan and Sulawesi.
Mangroves provide coastal protection from storms and tsunamis and reduce the risks of flooding, inundation, and erosion. Indonesia's mangroves also help store large amounts of carbon, reducing greenhouse gases.
This has prompted the Berau Regency Government to launch the MESTI Program (Masyarakat Sahabat Tambak Indonesia), an acronym from an Indonesian phrase meaning "mangroves are friends to sustainable shrimp farms."
Jaka Siswanta, representing Regent Sri, stated that Berau Regency has the largest mangrove ecosystem in East Kalimantan, covering an area of more than 88,000 hectares. "However, many mangrove areas in our region have been converted, one of which is into shrimp farms. Because the previous shrimp farming practices degraded water quality, the harvest yield also declined, leading shrimp farmers to clear more land," explained Jaka.
About Pact
Pact is an international nonprofit organization working in nearly 40 countries to build evidence-based, data-driven solutions for human development, owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact partners with others to build resilience, enhance accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills to create sustainable social impact. Learn more at [www.pactworld.org](http://www.pactworld.org).
About Chevron
Chevron is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies. We believe that affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy is crucial for achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world. In 2024, Chevron celebrates 100 years in Indonesia. We believe the future of energy is lower carbon. Through our partnerships with the government, Pertamina, and others, we are developing solutions that support Indonesia's energy future.
Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) is a scientific-based non-profit organization that has been present in Indonesia since 2014. With the mission of protecting lands and waters as life support systems, we provide innovative solutions to realize the harmony of nature and humans through effective natural resource management, prioritizing a non-confrontational approach, and building a network of partnerships with all stakeholders for a sustainable Indonesia. For more information, visit ykan.or.id.