Auriga transplants coral reefs in Central Halmahera to mark Independence Day
Auriga Nusantara, together with the coastal community of Sagea Village, Central Halmahera, North Maluku, added 190 coral seedlings through reef transplantation in the village’s waters to coincide with the commemoration of Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day.
Parid Ridwanuddin, staff of Auriga Nusantara’s Marine and Coastal Team, said in a statement received in Ambon on Monday that the addition of 190 coral fragments was carried out through the installation of 10 spider web media, bringing the total coral transplantation in Sagea Village waters as of 17 August 2026 to 277 fragments spread across 15 spider web media since May 2026.
“After 81 years of Indonesian independence, it is time for coastal communities in North Maluku and throughout Indonesia to be free from ecological damage and pollution caused by the nickel mining industry,” said Parid.
He said the coral transplantation activity was part of efforts to expand the distribution and coverage of coral reef ecosystems in Sagea Village waters, which has been ongoing for the past three months.
In May 2026, the community together with Auriga Nusantara installed five spider web media with 87 coral fragments. With the addition of 10 media and 190 fragments on 17 August, the total reached 15 media with 277 coral fragments.
According to him, the activity also demonstrated support for conservation efforts carried out independently by the Sagea Village community through a community-based approach.
In addition to coral reef transplantation, Auriga Nusantara’s dive team together with the Sagea Village community also raised the Red and White flag underwater.
He stressed that the flag-raising was not merely part of the independence commemoration, but also served as an encouragement for the government to provide legal certainty in protecting essential coastal ecosystems such as coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves.
“In the momentum of the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, the Indonesian Government must demonstrate political will to free the seas of North Maluku and all of Indonesia from pollution,” he said.
Auriga Nusantara also urged the central and regional governments to strengthen legal protection for coastal ecosystems and to enforce the law against companies and other parties that damage coral reefs, seagrass and mangroves.
Parid said the damage to coastal ecosystems in Lelief Village and Gemaf Village, Halmahera, served as a reminder that environmental restoration efforts must go hand in hand with legal certainty and enforcement of regulations.
He expressed hope that the community-based conservation model applied in Sagea Village could be replicated in other coastal areas, particularly those facing pressure from mining activities.
“All stakeholders — government, corporations and civil society — need to make the momentum of independence a starting point for a real commitment to protecting Indonesia’s coastal ecosystems,” he said.