The Berau District Government, YKAN, Pact and Chevron Launch Mangrove Restoration and Sustainable Aquaculture Program in Berau, East Kalimantan

The Berau District Government has launched the Mangrove Sahabat Tambak Lestari (MESTI) program, initiated by Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), with the support of Chevron on Friday, September 6^th, in Berau, East Kalimantan. The MESTI Program will be implemented over three years in the villages of Pegat Batumbuk, Tabalar Muara, and Suaran in Berau, Indonesia.

“Shrimp farming is the main source of livelihood in these communities which are also home to some of the largest spans of mangroves in Indonesia. As shrimp farming continues to grow in this region, the need for sustainable practices becomes imperative,” said the Berau District Leader, Sri Juniarsih Mas.

Mangrove forests serve as unique habitats for biodiversity. Shrimp farming in Berau typically involves the utilization of mangrove land for pond construction. However, this practice can lead to a decline in water quality, resulting in reduced yields, which, in turn, compels shrimp farmers to expand their land. The MESTI Program aims to reverse these practices.

YKAN has developed a method of sustainable aquaculture method known as Shrimp-Carbon Aquaculture (SECURE). This approach aims to enhance coastal resilience by restoring up to 80% of the total pond area to mangrove ecosystems while optimizing the remaining area for sustainable shrimp farming practices that yield optimal productivity.  “It’s a win-win solution,” explained YKAN Executive Director, Herlina Hartanto. “Shrimp farmers can use smaller plots of land to achieve minimal yields equivalent to using larger plots, and the mangroves in the remaining pond area can naturally regenerate,” she added.

Pact is working with shrimp farmers to enhance their capacity, including increasing productivity and profits through training, skill development, and access to finance. “To scale up the SECURE model of sustainable shrimp farming in the Berau District, the MESTI program provides incentives to farmers willing to transition. We will support shrimp farmers to improve their business sustainability and access new markets for their products. In this way, the SECURE will not only offer ecological benefits but also social and economic advantages,” added Ayi Farida, Pact Country Director for Indonesia.

Herlina emphasized that improving the livelihoods of shrimp farmers is very important. "It will be more effective if we assist farmers in developing sustainable aquaculture while actively involving them in managing, preserving, and restoring mangroves within their villages,” she explained.

“The Berau District Government supports the MESTI program in protecting mangroves and improving the livelihood of the coastal communities. It is our collective responsibility to preserve and protect mangroves,” added Sri Juniarsih Mas.

Chevron Indonesia Country Manager, Wahyu Budiarto, agreed. “Chevron recognizes the importance of preserving biodiversity in Indonesia. Since 2018, Chevron and a consortium of corporate partners have supported the five-year program of Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration Alliance (MERA) program at the Muara Angke Wildlife Reserve in Jakarta, Indonesia, led by YKAN. “We are proud to work with YKAN, Pact, and the Berau District Government to preserve mangroves and enhance the well-being of the Berau community.”

About Pact

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact. Learn more at www.pactworld.org.

About Chevron

Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. As a company of problem solvers, we look to the future of energy with optimism. We provide affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy to people in the Eurasia Pacific region that is essential to achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world. We invest in community programs that help advance the UN’s sustainable development goals and strive to empower people to meet their full potential.