Kaltim Fertilizer Takes Conservation of Coral Reefs at the ICRS 2026 Forum

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - The commitment of PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (Pupuk Kaltim) to maintain the sustainability of the marine ecosystem has received international recognition as the Indonesian representative delegation at the 16th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) in Auckland, New Zealand, on July 19-24, 2026.

At the largest and most prestigious scientific forum in the field of research, conservation, and coral reef management in the world, Pupuk Kaltim shared its experience in implementing a restoration program that has been consistently carried out for 15 years in the Tebok Batang area, Bontang City.

Kaltim Fertilizer is the only national industrial company representing Indonesia at the forum, as well as confirming the Company's position which has consistently carried out a science-based coral reef restoration and conservation program, collaboration, and sustainable community empowerment.

Together with more than 2,100 delegates from 90 countries consisting of scientists, academics, conservation practitioners to policymakers, Pupuk Kaltim carried two scientific contributions. The contributions consist of an oral presentation entitled "Quindecennial Consecutively Collaborative Coral Restoration", as well as a scientific poster entitled "Integration Coral Restoration through Long-Term Stakeholder Engagement and its Independence Governance".

"These two works raise the comprehensive approach of Pupuk Kaltim in integrating ecological, social, governance aspects, to the economic sustainability of the community in coral reef restoration," said a representative of the Pupuk Kaltim delegation, Astri Agustina.

Astri explained that the two works of Pupuk Kaltim represent sustainable practices developed by the industrial sector that are able to make a real contribution, as well as references for science-based coastal ecosystem management and collaboration. Where the coral reef rehabilitation program started by Pupuk Kaltim since 2011, departed from the condition of coral reef damage of more than 50 percent in the waters of Bontang.

This condition is caused by environmentally friendly fishing practices (PITRaL), so Pupuk Kaltim initiated rehabilitation steps in the Tebok Batang area through the construction of artificial reef modules and coral transplantation through the empowerment of coastal communities, supported by sustainable ecological and social monitoring.

"In its implementation, rehabilitation is carried out with the design of three types of artificial reef modules, namely Pyramid, Cube, and Dome. This model strongly supports coral attachment, as well as the increase in biodiversity during the 15-year program at Tebok Batang," explained Astri.

The waters of Tobok Batang as a coral reef rehabilitation area of Pupuk Kaltim are based on the Agreement on the Compatibility of Activities for the Utilization of Marine Space (PKKPRL). It is recorded that until 2025, the area that has been conserved by Pupuk Kaltim is 2.23 hectares (Ha) from 10 Ha of PKKPRL permits. Coral fish populations have also increased drastically to 57 families, and coral populations 69 genera in 2025.

Now, the Tobok Batang area has become one of the collaborative conservation models that are not only oriented towards the restoration of the marine ecosystem, but also the improvement of the welfare of coastal communities through the active and sustainable empowerment of fishing groups. Covering the construction of artificial reefs, submerging modules, to periodic monitoring.

Astri said that this effort also shows that environmental conservation can go hand in hand with improving people's welfare, if supported by the collaboration of all parties involved. Conservation steps are also increasingly strengthened by Kaltim Fertilizer through a development roadmap that includes the development of coral nurseries, mangrove conservation, to international cooperation collaboration.

"The experience of Kaltim Fertilizer shows that the success of restoration is not only determined by the technology used, but also the continuity of monitoring and adaptation of management based on field evaluation results," continued Astri.

For more than a decade, Kaltim Fertilizer has installed thousands of artificial reef modules that continue to show positive developments in the recovery of the ecosystem. This program is part of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles carried out by the company which focuses on increasing biodiversity, rehabilitating marine habitats, and efforts to mitigate climate change and decarbonization.

"Through ICRS 2026, we want to show that the industrial sector can take a strategic role in supporting sustainable marine conservation. What we do at Tebok Batang can be a reference and replicated by various parties in the same effort," added Astri.

The Corporate Secretary of Kaltim Fertilizer, Anggono Wijaya, conveyed the involvement in ICRS 2026 showed the company's commitment to continue to implement the ESG principle, which not only focuses on restoring the marine ecosystem, but also encourages the creation of shared value for the community. This is also a manifestation of the Company's contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Goal 14, namely Life Below Water, while strengthening the company's position which integrates sustainability into business and operational strategies.

"We express our appreciation to the delegation of Kaltim Fertilizer who have represented Indonesia at the ICRS forum. This shows the initiative of sustainability that is born from the company's operations, able to make a real contribution and gain recognition from the global community," said Anggono.

In the future, Kaltim Fertilizer will continue to strengthen collaboration with the government, academics, the community, and various other strategic partners, so that the conservation programs implemented will provide wider benefits, especially in Bontang City.

"We believe that the future of the marine ecosystem cannot be maintained by one party alone. For this reason, Pupuk Kaltim will continue to be present hand in hand to ensure that our marine resources remain sustainable and protected," concluded Anggono.