Guard the Sea, Guard Life: PTFI Releases 10,000 Fish & 1,000 Crabs on Mimika Coast

Environment

Guard the Sea, Guard Life: PTFI Releases 10,000 Fish & 1,000 Crabs on Mimika Coast

28 May 2026 Papua

TIMIKA – For the Kamoro people and fishermen along the southern coast of Mimika, the sea is a source of life. Therefore, PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) has taken concrete action by releasing 10,000 barramundi (Asian sea bass) fingerlings and 1,000 mangrove crabs into the coastal waters of Mimika on Thursday, May 28, 2026.

The restocking activity began at the Cargo Dock, Portsite, and continued to the Tipuka estuary in Mimika Regency, Central Papua. This initiative is not merely ceremonial, but part of the company’s long-term commitment to maintaining coastal ecosystem balance while ensuring the sustainability of local livelihoods.

Gesang Setyadi carried out the symbolic release of 10,000 barramundi at Muara Tipuka

Representing the Government, Head of Fisheries Clemens Ohoilulin conducted the symbolic release of 1,000 ma

Barramundi and mangrove crab seedlings were transported by boat to Muara Tipuka.

Barramundi fingerlings were brought in from outside Papua to increase the population in Mimika’s coastal

The restocking of barramundi and mangrove crabs was carried out by PTFI with the Dinas Perikanan

“The restocking program is an effort to sustain the population of barramundi and mangrove crabs, which have high economic value and serve as important sources of income for fishermen and the Kamoro community in Mimika,” said Gesang Setyadi, Vice President Environmental of PTFI, while leading the release.

This program originated from research collaboration between PTFI and the University of Papua (UNIPA), which conducted fisheries surveys showing increasing demand for fish and crabs in coastal areas. These findings became the foundation for the restocking program, which is now implemented sustainably and will be carried out annually.

Head of the Mimika Regency Fisheries Office, Clemens Ohoilulin, welcomed the initiative and sees it as a collaborative effort with direct benefits for the community.

“This restocking activity has a direct impact on the community. Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen collaboration with PTFI, including plans to expand restocking programs to other commodities such as tilapia and carp,” said Clemens.

This program is also part of PTFI’s compliance with technical approvals issued by the Ministry of Environment (KLH) in 2023, requiring the company to enhance mangrove ecosystem services in coastal areas.

To support this, PTFI has engaged around 27 local contractors from five coastal villages—Nayaro, Koprapoka, Nawaripi, Ayuka, and Tipuka—to build estuary structures designed to trap sediment, which will later be planted with mangroves.

To date, more than 2,100 hectares of the Ajkwa estuary area have been rehabilitated. This restocking activity is not the first of its kind. In 2025, PTFI released 10,000 barramundi fingerlings and 500 adult mangrove crabs at the same location.

“This program is planned to continue sustainably as part of the company’s commitment to preserving the coastal ecosystem of Central Papua,” Gesang concluded.

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