From Cilacap, AI Helps Fishermen 'Read the Sea' Before Sailing

For traditional fishermen, heading out to sea always involves uncertainty. Fuel is spent, and significant time and effort are at stake, yet fishermen often return with disappointing catches.

In South Cilacap, Central Java, approximately 41 per cent of the 6,806 fishing trips recorded by MetaSeaco resulted in losses. This situation prompted the startup, an alumnus of Pertamina’s Pertamuda programme, to develop Iwak. This technology, based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and satellite data, helps fishermen determine the best time to sail, target specific fish species, and identify potential coordinate points.

“From home, fishermen can already know whether they should go to sea that day or not. If they do sail, this technology also provides recommendations for coordinates and the best time to catch fish,” said C_E_O of MetaSeaco, Catur Prasetyo Nugroho.

Currently, Iwak is being used by 15 fishing boats in Cilacap. As a result, operational costs have been reduced by approximately 23 per cent, while the average income of fishermen has increased by 68 per cent. Furthermore, the percentage of unprofitable fishing trips has dropped from 41 per cent to around 30 per cent.

Predictions have also shown promising results. The accuracy for Spanish mackerel reaches 91 per cent, pomfret 85 per cent, and largehead hairtail 70 per cent. In one particular trip, a fisherman following coordinates with a high prediction score was even able to earn approximately Rp 3 million.

From the initial 15 boats in Cilacap, this innovation now has the opportunity to reach more villages. Through the collaboration between Pertamina’s Independent Energy Village (DEB) and the Pertamuda programme, MetaSeaco’s technology will be developed and replicated to support Pertamina’s fostered communities around its operational areas.

This collaboration was part of the Pertamina 2026 Independent Energy Village Festival held at Grha Pertamina, Jakarta, on Friday (28/08/2026). Pertamina is encouraging DEB to serve not only as a place for utilising new and renewable energy but also as a space where innovation meets the real needs of the community.

“The more appropriate technology that can be applied, the better. We hope the impact of our 269 Independent Energy Villages can grow even larger,” said the Vice President of CSR & SMEPP Management at Pertamina, Rudi Ariffianto.

In addition to MetaSeaco, innovation will also be brought by Terangin—a renewable energy startup from the Top 3 Pertamuda 2025 Energy Future category—to DEB Juntinyuat, Indramayu. One such innovation includes automated laser-based bird deterrent technology to help farmers reduce pest disturbances.