Innovations in the restoration of coastal areas, especially coral reefs, have been carried out by lecturers at the Department of Marine Science, Universitas Diponegoro, through the Kedaireka Matching Fund 2022 program. Munasik with the team, conducted socialization for the development of the Blue Economy in Batang Regency, by utilizing waste coal. This activity was carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, and PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia (BPI). The Kedaireka Matching Fund 2022 program will focus on the utilization of coal waste from PLTU Batang 2 x 1,000 MW, through the manufacture of artificial coral reef substrates or APR (Artificial Patch Reef) and artificial fish houses or AFA (Artificial Fish Apartment). The waste used for APR and AFA in this activity is Fly Ash and Bottom Ash (FABA), which according to the Head of the Coastal and Small Islands Marine Affairs, Department of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Central Java Province, Ir. Lilik Harnadi, M.Sc., M.Sc., is no longer a B3 waste.
“The use of FABA waste is not only for the manufacture of fish houses or artificial coral reefs, but also for abrasion control, paving blocks, brickwork, cast roads, and others. However, the Matching Fund 2022 program will focus on utilizing FABA waste for fish houses and artificial coral reefs, involving the government, academics, BPI, and fishermen,” said Lilik Harnadi, in the socialization event of the Matching Fund 2022 program, Implementation of Ecosystem Restoration Technology Applications. Coastal Concrete Made from Coal Waste for Blue Economy Development in Batang Regency, which took place in the Hall of the PTSP DPM Office of Batang Regency. At the socialization activity for the 2022 Kadaireka Matching Fund program at the district level, the Head of the DLH Batang Regency, Head of Dislutanak Batang Regency, Dislutkan of Central Java Province, Camat, UNDIP, BPI, Fishermen Group, Fishermen Association All Indonesia – Batang (HNSI), Village Head were also present. , fisherman figures and other relevant stakeholders. Meanwhile, the Head of Matching Fund 2022 Program, Dr. Munasik, explained that this program involved 75 interns and KKN students from UNDIP which would be spread out in four villages, namely Klidang Lor Village, Depok Village, Ujungnegoro Village and Kedungsegog Village for 45 days. They will conduct discussions and receive input from fishermen regarding this program, including the placement of fish houses made from FABA waste from the Batang PLTU. Dr. Munasik also thanked BPI for supporting the Matching Fund 2022 program, so that concrete coastal ecosystem restoration technology can be implemented by utilizing coal waste for blue economy development in Batang Regency.
“We involved UNDIP internship students through the creation of an Artificial Patch Reef (APR) and an Artificial Fish Apartment (AFA) by 25 interns. Then involved 50 KKN students for mapping problems for the management of marine and coastal resources in the waters of Batang Regency through the BPI CSR program,” continued Dr. Munasik. He also added that at the time of sinking the fish house would also be carried out after receiving input or suggestions from the fishermen.
“We do not immediately sink the fish house, without coordination with the fishermen, because this is for the interests of the fishermen in their search for fish. They also have to know the benefits of fish houses, how to care for and maintain them, as well as the location for placing fish houses in accordance with the RZWP3K space allocation of Central Java Province,” said Munasik. Meanwhile, one of the fishermen in Batang Regency, H. Karunjuk, who participated in the socialization of the Matching Fund 2022 program at the Klidang Lor village hall, said that the program to utilize coal FABA waste from PLTU Batang to build fish houses or coral reefs is really beneficial for fishermen. H. Karelektro stated that each point where the fish house sinks must be marked so that the fishermen know the whereabouts of the fish house.
Bhayu Pamungkas, Senior Manager of CSR at BPI, also said that BPI has partnered with various parties in order to preserve coastal areas in Batang Regency. And this year BPI partnered with Diponegoro University in a program funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology. This activity is a manifestation of the company’s commitment to improving the economy of the fishermen around the PLTU Batang and maintaining commitment to the environment. It is hoped that fishery production will increase and the synergy between community groups and BPI as well as government support can give birth to sustainable local community empowerment activities.