Coral Reef Garden Technology Accelerates Marine Ecosystem Recovery in East Java

International Women’s Day this year marks a milestone for marine conservation in East Java. The Bhakti Alam Sendang Biru Foundation, together with Biorock Indonesia and supported by Daughters For Earth, has announced the successful installation of East Java’s first Biorock Garden structure in the region. The strategic project is the fruit of a year-long dedication to technical and social preparation (2025–2026). The climax was the underwater installation of coral reef structures using Biorock technology, carried out from 23–27 February 2026 at Pantai Tiga Warna, within the Ekowisata CMC area, Sendang Biru. Sendang Biru is one of Indonesia’s largest tuna landing ports; however, coral reef degradation has forced fishermen to venture further offshore as nearshore habitats have declined. The Biorock Garden structures are designed as a natural food bank to restore the self-reliance of local fishermen. “We are not merely building underwater gardens; we are rebuilding a home for our food sources,” said Lia Putrinda, the founder of the Bhakti Alam Sendang Biru Foundation. “This collaboration offers renewed hope after past conventional methods failed. This is the start of a history in which coral restoration can improve fishermen’s livelihoods.” Over the past year, the project’s main focus has been technology transfer to the Bhakti Alam Sendang Biru team. The local team is now autonomous in designing structures and installing low-voltage electrical systems that enable corals to grow 3–5 times faster. The Director of Biorock Indonesia added that the project rests on the Bhakti Alam Sendang Biru team, which has become technical experts in their own region. “They are the drivers of technology for the future food security of Sendang Biru,” he said. The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), together with the Yayasan Pesisir Lestari (YPL), emphasised that strengthening Indonesia’s blue economy must run in tandem with protecting marine ecosystems.