RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (Pupuk Kaltim), a subsidiary of State-Owned Company PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero), has successfully rehabilitated 2.23 hectares of coral reef in the Tebok Batang waters of Bontang, East Kalimantan, through a long-term conservation initiative active since 2011.

The company presented its 15-year marine conservation achievements at the 16th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) in Auckland, New Zealand, held from July 19 to 24, 2026. As the sole Indonesian industrial corporate representative at the global symposium, Pupuk Kaltim delivered two scientific papers detailing its science-based restoration model, which combines artificial reef structures, specifically Pyramid, Cube, and Dome modules, with community-based coastal monitoring.

Initiated in response to severe reef degradation exceeding 50 percent due to destructive fishing practices, the project has restored 2.23 hectares within a 10-hectare licensed marine spatial utilization area (PKKPRL). As of 2025, ecological monitoring recorded 57 families of reef fish and 69 coral genera thriving across the rehabilitated zone.

Company management and delegates emphasized that sustainable marine restoration requires integrated governance, community engagement, and strict adherence to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks.

Pupuk Kaltim Delegation Representative Astri Agustina highlighted the dual ecological and socio-economic focus of the rehabilitation initiative.

"In its implementation, rehabilitation is carried out using three types of artificial reef modules: Pyramid, Cube, and Dome, this model has significantly supported coral attachment and enhanced biodiversity over the 15-year program in Tebok Batang. Pupuk Kaltim's experience demonstrates that restoration success is determined not only by the technology used, but also by continuous monitoring and management adaptation based on field evaluation results," Astri Agustina said in an official release on Monday, August 3, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Pupuk Kaltim Corporate Secretary Anggono Wijaya reaffirmed the company’s commitment to international sustainability targets, including Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 concerning life below water.

"We believe the future of marine ecosystems cannot be safeguarded by a single party alone, to that end, Pupuk Kaltim will continue to work hand-in-hand to ensure marine resources remain sustainable and preserved," Anggono remarked. ***