Raising Awareness on Mangrove Restoration and Thresher Shark Conservation in Fungafeng Village
Fungafeng, Alor — On Friday (24/10), Thresher Shark Indonesia (TSI) held a mangrove restoration awareness event in Fungafeng Village, one of the coastal villages in Alor Regency. The event, which took place at the village hall, aimed to raise public awareness about the importance of mangroves in protecting coastlines from erosion.
Coastal abrasion has become a serious issue faced by many coastal communities, including Fungafeng. This activity served as an important platform to educate residents about protecting their shorelines and marine ecosystems.
The event was attended by various community members, including the village head, fishers, youth representatives, and women’s groups. In addition to discussing mangrove restoration, the session also covered the topic of thresher sharks, as many residents work as fishers and frequently encounter this species.
Fransista Ahalfani, a mangrove program staff member, served as moderator, while Project Lead for the Mangrove Program Florinda Gerimu delivered the presentation. The event began with an introduction by Community Development Coordinator Igo Arianto, followed by an opening speech from Village Head Vinsensius Padama.
Florinda began the session by screening an educational video about thresher sharks, explaining the species found in Alor’s waters and their role as apex predators in maintaining marine ecosystem balance. The video also highlighted the threats these sharks face due to overfishing, which could disrupt the entire marine ecosystem.
Project Lead Program Restorasi Mangrove, Florinda Gerimu, menjelaskan peran hiu tikus dalam ekosistem laut. (Foto: Umar Tusin)
In her explanation, Florinda shared that both the Governor’s Regulation of East Nusa Tenggara Province and the Ministerial Decree of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KEPMEN) No. 30 of 2023 grant full protection to several shark species, including thresher sharks. She also dispelled the myth that shark fins can cure diseases, noting that no scientific studies have proven such claims.
“Sharks living in our waters may contain heavy metals, which are dangerous if consumed,” Florinda explained.
After the thresher shark session, Florinda continued with a presentation on the importance of mangrove ecosystems. Using visual materials, she explained the definition, types, functions, and causes of mangrove degradation, as well as strategies for restoring coastal ecosystems.
The people of Fungafeng responded enthusiastically and shared their own experiences. One fisherman, Stefanus, recounted how he once caught a thresher shark due to a lack of knowledge.
“I used to catch thresher sharks and we would eat them. But after Lekison from TSI told me they are protected and dangerous to consume, I stopped. Once, I caught another one, but I released it right away,” he said.
Coastal abrasion also became a major concern among residents. Many productive lands that were once used to grow coconut trees have been lost to rising seawater. Marianus, a long-time resident of Fungafeng, shared his story:
“Years ago, the coastline was about 30 meters further out, but now the sea has reached the land. We built a small dock to hold back erosion, but now we know that planting mangroves can help too. I want to try that,” he said.
Village Head Vinsensius Padama reaffirmed his commitment to follow up the event with concrete actions.
“This event won’t stop here. Tomorrow, we’ll start looking for mangrove seedlings. If TSI can help us with two or three seedlings to test-plant, and they grow well, we’ll plant more along the entire coastline,” he said.
TSI Community Development Staff, Igo Arianto (right), hands over a calendar and thresher shark information poster to Fungafeng Village Head, Vinsensius Padama (left). Fungafeng, Alor Regency, October 24, 2025. (Photo: Umar Tusin)
This activity demonstrates that education can be an effective way to raise awareness about the importance of protecting coastlines and marine ecosystems. Beyond simply planting trees, the event emphasized the vital role of mangroves as natural barriers against erosion and the ecological importance of thresher sharks in maintaining ocean balance.
TSI hopes that this initiative will inspire the community to continue supporting and spreading awareness about the importance of protecting the ocean. A healthy marine ecosystem not only preserves biodiversity but also ensures sustainable fisheries for future generations.
The mangrove awareness program is part of Thresher Shark Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to promote public understanding of the importance of mangrove ecosystems. The program is supported by the McPZ Foundation, which focuses on mangrove ecosystem restoration.
