Medan - Hundreds of traditional fishermen from the Indonesia's Traditional Fishermen Union (KNTI) gathered on Friday, 13 February 2026 in the area of Belawan Sea Port in North Sumatra, rejected the land reclamation plan from the Sea Port authority to enlarge same part of the port.
The fishermen made land reclamation conducted for Muara Angke Fishing Port in Jakarta as an example of negative impacts of land reclamation. They said land reclamation at Belawan Port could harm the living of traditional fishermen in the area due to the damage of sea ecosystem in the coastal area.
"We reject the land reclamation because it will narrow down fishermen boats' line and additional burden for the people in the coastal area. The room of fishing activities will be lost, while tidal floods to approach the coast further," said Ahmad Raki, deputy secretary of KNTI Medan branch during the rally.
Raji explained that beside fishing offshore, the traditional fishermen surround Belawan Port are also collecting sea shells, therefore, land reclamation will destroy their source of income.
The land reclamation technically will be also impacting river channel of Gabion River. From the environment aspect, the land reclamation will damage ecosystem of the coastal area, including mangrove forest as well as marine life.
"We don't refuse the development, however, it should not affect the area of fishing and traditional fishermen's fishing channels," said Nilawati, chairperson of the Indonesia's Coastal Area Women's Union (KPPI) Medan branch during the rally.***
