10,684 coral seedlings planted to restore seas in Thousand Islands

The Jakarta Provincial Government is expanding its marine ecosystem restoration efforts by planting 10,684 coral seedlings on four islands in the Thousand Islands archipelago throughout 2026.

Head of the Technical Implementation Unit of the Centre for Marine Cultivation and Conservation at the Jakarta Food Security, Marine Affairs, and Agriculture Agency, Andi Dala Jemma, said in Jakarta on Tuesday that the coral seedlings were distributed to Community-Based Marine Protection Areas on Tidung Island, Pari Island, Payung Island, and Lancang Island.

He said coral transplantation activities have been carried out since early 2026, with a total of 10,684 seedlings planted across the four islands.

The distribution includes 4,000 seedlings on Tidung Island, 3,484 seedlings on Payung Island, and 1,600 seedlings each on Pari Island and Lancang Island.

Andi explained that this year’s coral transplantation coverage has been expanded to four islands. Previously, similar activities focused only on Tidung Island.

The effort is part of the Jakarta Provincial Government’s commitment to preserving marine ecosystems while strengthening environmental and economic benefits for coastal communities.

According to Andi, coral reefs play a vital role in underwater life and in sustaining the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Coral reef restoration is expected to deliver significant ecological benefits, including maintaining biodiversity while increasing fisheries sector productivity and the appeal of marine tourism in Jakarta.

“This is an environmental investment. With healthy coral reefs, the marine ecosystem will be preserved and ultimately have a positive impact on the economic welfare of fishermen and tourism operators,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chair of the Karang Mutiara Community-Based Marine Protection Area Group on Lancang Island, Damiyati, expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Jakarta Provincial Government. The group received 400 substrates and 1,600 coral seedlings to support the transplantation process in its area.

According to Damiyati, the assistance has greatly helped restore the underwater ecosystem in the Lancang Island area. “We are committed to looking after these coral seedlings so they can grow well,” she said.