Mangrove rehabilitation must not stop at planting activities aloneDenpasar, Bali (ANTARA) – Indonesia's Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono emphasised that mangrove rehabilitation must also restore the ecological function of coastal ecosystems and support food security, as well as the economy of coastal communities.Speaking at the main event marking the 2026 World Mangrove Day in Denpasar, Bali, on Sunday, Minister Trenggono said mangroves play a strategic role as coastal protectors, nursery habitats for various marine species, blue carbon sinks, and pillars of coastal livelihoods.According to him, the growing global population—projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, including around 320 million people in Indonesia—will drive up the demand for food and protein, putting Indonesia in a vital position as a major global fisheries producer.However, the minister warned the potential could faces serious threats as Indonesia has lost around 40 percent of its mangrove areas over the last three decades, with degradation progressing at roughly 52,000 hectares per year.Furthermore, approximately 19.2 percent of the nation's mangroves are currently in critical condition.”Mangrove rehabilitation must not stop at planting activities alone, but must be carried out based on ecological suitability so that ecosystem functions are genuinely restored,” Trenggono said.He explained the Ministry is developing a blue economy policy built on five main pillars, including expanding marine conservation areas to reach 97.5 million hectares by 2045, implementing quota-based measured fishing, and developing sustainable aquaculture.The other two pillars are strengthening the management of coastal zones and small islands, and reducing marine plastic waste through community participation.In addition, the Ministry has established six priority programmes for the marine and fisheries sector of the 2025-2029 period.One of them is the revitalisation of ponds along the Northern Coast of Java (Pantura), which integrates mangrove restoration with the development of aquaculture areas.The programme is projected to yield around 800,000 tons of production annually, with an economic value reaching Rp20 trillion (approximately US$1.11 billion) and creating roughly 83,000 jobs.Trenggono also emphasised the success of mangrove rehabilitation is measured not only by the number of trees planted, but also by the restoration of ecological functions and the increase in economic benefits for coastal communities.He further noted that successful mangrove rehabilitation requires the collaboration of all stakeholders through integrated policies, the use of science, community empowerment, as well as the strengthening of financing, supervision, and education.Closing his remarks, Trenggono called on all parties to bolster a joint commitment to safeguarding and managing the mangrove ecosystem in order to realise resilient coastal areas, productive oceans, and prosperous coastal communities.