Quality shrimp seeds promoting sustainable aquaculture in Indonesia

In Indonesia, coastal communities in Tanjung Batu, Berau, East Kalimantan, now have access to newly established tiger shrimp hatchery facilities at Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan Negeri 3 (SMKN3) Tanjung Batu. This development opens a promising avenue for sustainable economic growth and food security.

This is the first investment of the Biru Fund program (a component of the Koralestari initiative), initiated by the Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), an implementing partner of the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR). The Biru Fund program aims to promote a blue economy approach by integrating community welfare improvement with coastal ecosystem protection.

Previously, farmers relied on shrimp seeds imported from other regions, which sometimes raised quality concerns due to the shipping process. Establishing a local hatchery aims to ensure a stable supply and maintain consistent quality. To broaden access to this opportunity, Biru Fund also provides farmers with low-interest financing options, alleviating the initial capital barrier. Additionally, through collaborations with the school and private-sector partners, the project provides valuable learning opportunities for students to gain insights into sustainable aquaculture practices.

Supporting reef-positive businesses lies at the heart of GFCR, recognising that the well-being of coastal communities is essential for the overall health and resilience of coastal ecosystems. Through the kind of approach taken by the Biru Fund, aquaculture practices aim not only for production but also for long-term environmental sustainability.