Cross-Sector Collaboration Strives to Preserve Whale Sharks and the Ujungnegoro Conservation Area

Batang – The Marine and Fisheries Agency of Batang Regency (“Dislutkan”) in synergy with PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia (BPI), Marine & Fisheries Agency of Central Java Province and Branch Office of Fisheries in West Region as Conservation Area Managers held a Whale Shark Conservation Socialization Activity and Strengthening the Ujungnegoro Conservation Area to Maintain Batang Marine Biodiversity which was attended by various stakeholders including fishermen in Seturi, Depok, Ujungnegoro, Roban Barat and Roban Timur, regency officials, HNSI Batang, Diponegoro University Student Association in Batang and private companies at Payung Sewu, Depok Beach, Batang Regency on Thursday, July 24, 2025.

This socialization activity presented speakers from LPSPL Serang, Darmawan and Muschan Ashari, CDK Barat Dwi Riyanto, Dislutkan Batang Hermanto, External Relations Manager BPI Bagus Dona Doni which aimed to increase public awareness and knowledge about the importance of marine environmental conservation and responsible fisheries resource management. In this event, participants received an explanation of conservation area management policies and whale sharks in Central Java, responsible fisheries management, the role of the private sector in supporting conservation area management efforts and understanding the special terminal area of the Batang power plant and its boundaries.

Head of the Marine and Fisheries Agency of Central Java Province, Endi Faiz Effendi, expressed his appreciation to all parties, especially BPI, for their concern for the preservation of coastal areas, which has been stated in the form of a Technical Agreement between BPI and the Marine and Fisheries Agency of Central Java Province.

"This Technical Agreement aims to support the development of marine and fisheries resources in Batang Regency, as well as biodiversity protection programs. We hope this socialization activity will increase public awareness and knowledge about the importance of marine environmental conservation," said Endi Faiz Effendi in his remarks.

The Head of the Dislutkan, Windu Suriadji, stated that the whale shark conservation program was open and interactive, using group methods to enable participants to directly understand the real conditions of the marine ecosystem that serves as their habitat. This whale shark conservation also supports the national program for a blue economy, through the expansion of marine conservation areas.

"Through this activity, we hope that fishermen and the community can directly understand the importance of protecting endangered species like whale sharks, which sometimes still pass through Batang sea waters. This demonstrates that our ecosystem is still healthy, and this socialization aligns with the national program for a blue economy, including plans to expand marine conservation areas. The central government is targeting marine conservation areas of 95.7 million hectares by 2049," he explained.

Meanwhile, General Manager of Stakeholder Relations Aryamir H. Sulasmoro, through CSR and CR Manager Ahmad Lukman, stated that BPI, along with the local government, has installed artificial coral reefs, artificial fish houses, and planted mangroves since 2016.

"This collaboration is carried out with universities, including Diponegoro University, to increase the population of marine biota. We strongly support efforts to preserve marine biodiversity. We hope that this preservation will not only protect the environment but also ensure the sustainability of the lives of fishermen in Batang," said Aryamir H. Sulasmoro.

Sriyono, a fisherman from East Roban, said that the socialization activities regarding conservation areas, the existence of whale sharks, and coastal preservation have greatly increased the fishermen's knowledge and insight.

"Thank you to the Batang Regency Government for its efforts to raise awareness about the importance of coastal preservation, and thank you to the Batang Power Plant for its continued support and attention to coastal preservation and improving the quality of life for fishermen, especially in East Roban, through the artificial reef and fish apartment programs," said Sriyono, a fisherman from East Roban.

With this activity, it is hoped that the Batang coastal area can become an active conservation zone that is able to maintain a balance between the exploitation of fish resources and their preservation amidst the threat of overfishing in the Java Sea.