BANGKA -- PT TIMAH Tbk continues to strengthen its commitment to sustainable environmental management through various reclamation and marine ecosystem rehabilitation programs. One of these initiatives is a squid restocking program aimed at supporting the sustainability of fisheries resources in the eastern waters of Bangka Island.
Most recently, PT TIMAH, through its North Bangka Area Division, collaborated with the Sayang Babel Kite Foundation and local fishermen to conduct another squid restocking activity in the waters off Tuing Beach, Mapur Village, Bangka Regency, on Monday (June 15, 2026).
The restocking program is intended to improve the survival rate of squid during the early stages of their life cycle before they are released back into their natural habitat. This initiative has been carried out consistently over the past several years.
In addition to the squid restocking effort, PT TIMAH also deployed 10 squid attractors in the area.
Chairman of the Sayang Babel Foundation, Indra Ambalika, explained that the purpose of squid restocking is to increase the survival rate of squid hatchlings by reducing their exposure to natural predators such as fish.
"The restocking program is designed to improve the survival rate of newly hatched squid. In the wild, squid eggs and hatchlings face a high risk of predation from fish and other marine species. By hatching them in a controlled environment, their chances of survival increase significantly before they are released back into the ocean," he said.
Indra noted that squid are a high-value fisheries commodity and one of the primary catches for fishermen on Bangka Island. Therefore, efforts to maintain a sustainable squid population are essential to supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities.
"In this program, squid spawning habitats, known as squid attractors, are installed, and some of the eggs are transferred to controlled hatchery containers on land. Once hatched, the juvenile squid are released back into the sea. We hope this initiative will encourage greater attention to the sustainability of squid fisheries resources in Bangka, both from the government and fishing communities," Indra explained.
Furthermore, Indra stated that the squid restocking program is part of marine reclamation efforts focused on biological rehabilitation. In accordance with regulations issued by Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), marine reclamation encompasses three key aspects: chemical rehabilitation through marine water quality management, physical rehabilitation through erosion and sedimentation control, and biological rehabilitation through biodiversity enhancement.
PT TIMAH has implemented various physical and biological rehabilitation programs across its operational areas. Physical rehabilitation initiatives include the construction of breakwaters, mangrove planting, fish shelters, artificial reefs, and coral transplantation projects. Meanwhile, biological rehabilitation efforts include squid and mangrove crab restocking programs.
According to Indra, PT TIMAH’s initiative deserves recognition because it helps promote and preserve one of Bangka’s unique marine resources, which has not received significant attention in the past.
"This program represents an important first step toward ensuring the sustainability of squid resources in Bangka. We hope it will inspire greater involvement from government institutions, academics, and fishing communities in advancing sustainable fisheries resource management," he said.
Looking ahead, Indra expressed hope that continuous evaluation and program development will be carried out to make the restocking initiative even more effective and sustainable. One potential improvement would be the development of hatchery-produced seed stock, reducing reliance on collecting squid eggs from the wild.
Anggi Siahaan, Department Head of Corporate Communication at PT TIMAH Tbk, stated that the company remains committed to sustainable environmental management, particularly in the rehabilitation of marine ecosystems within its operational areas.
"The squid restocking program is a tangible demonstration of PT TIMAH’s commitment to marine reclamation and ecosystem rehabilitation. We hope this initiative will contribute to the preservation of fisheries resources, the protection of marine biodiversity, and the economic well-being of local fishing communities," he said.
He added that PT TIMAH consistently implements environmental management programs covering physical, chemical, and biological rehabilitation in accordance with good mining practices and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.
