Cilincing Sea Encircled by Reclamation, Fishermen: Governor, Please Visit the Site!

The expanse of sea in Cilincing, North Jakarta, which previously served as a fishing ground for fishermen, is now fragmented by two major projects: the construction of a toll road over the sea and the reclamation of a pier. Fishermen claim that access to the sea is increasingly narrow, travel distances have lengthened, and catches have dropped dramatically. On the other hand, developers deny that the projects disrupt fishing activities and claim to have prepared long-term solutions. One of the reclamations currently being discussed by many people, especially the fishermen, is located opposite the Cilincing Fish Auction Site (TPI). The second is the reclamation project for pier construction carried out by PT Karya Cipta Nusantara (KCN). However, the fishermen are not surprised by the NPEA construction as it has been underway since the end of 2025 and has been socialised. “If that’s the case (toll), we’ve already seen and heard about it, even often invited by the department. We often communicate with the field consultants. So we already know the news,” said Kubil (60), Chairman of the Kalibaru Cilincing Marunda Fishermen Association (KCM), when interviewed by Kompas.com in the Marunda area, North Jakarta, on Friday (17/4/2026). In fact, the fishermen have also provided several suggestions to PT Pembangunan Perumahan (PP) as the NPEA project holder to ensure the construction does not endanger fishermen. First, fishermen requested that the shallow edge area of the project be dredged so that fishermen’s access is not disrupted. Second, the fishermen also requested that the toll poles already embedded in the Cilincing waters be marked to avoid collisions. However, for the reclamation construction carried out by PT KCN, the fishermen admit they have not received any socialisation. Kubil admitted that the presence of the reclamation right next to the NPEA project is quite hindering the fishermen’s activities in catching fish. “The impact is that our route now, if the construction is completed, we have to go around far,” Kubil continued. Having to go around far means the fishermen spend more fuel, from the usual two litres to four to five litres per day. Amid higher fuel expenses, the fishermen’s catches have actually plummeted dramatically.