Images of Giant Shrimp Pond in Indonesia Spanning 2,150 Football Fields

The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has revealed the progress of the construction of a large-scale integrated shrimp pond area in Palakahembi Village and Watumbaka Ward, Pandawai District, East Sumba Regency, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT). This project is touted as the largest shrimp pond model in Indonesia and a marker for the direction of aquaculture development that is no longer centred on Java. Director General of Aquaculture at KKP, TB Haeru Rahayu, stated that the construction of the shrimp pond with a total area of 2,150 hectares and an investment of Rp7.2 trillion is still progressing. As of 31 March 2026, the pond compartments have begun to be formed by the team appointed by KKP, emphasising sustainability aspects in the construction design. Haeru mentioned that the shrimp pond project is targeted to be completed in two years and to start operating gradually. He emphasised that acceleration of the construction is being carried out through coordination with the consortium mandated to work on the project, so that the completion target can be achieved in line with government directives. According to him, out of the total 12 clusters prepared, the initial plan is for only two clusters to operate first this year, although the schedule is still tentative. KKP is now pushing for acceleration from the initial three-year contract to two years, in accordance with President Prabowo’s directives, with the hope that all clusters can be completed faster. In its development, this shrimp pond area encompasses eight main layouts, starting from a 62-hectare seawater intake pipe network, 46-hectare reservoirs and water treatment, a 723-hectare cultivation area with 12 pond clusters, to wastewater treatment plants, greening, supporting industrial areas, and other usage areas. This infrastructure is designed to support an integrated and sustainable shrimp farming system in East Sumba.