BANGKA -- PT TIMAH Tbk collaborated with the Traffic Directorate (Ditlantas) of the Bangka Belitung Islands Regional Police to carry out the sinking of fish aggregating devices (rumpon) and tree planting at Rebo Beach, Bangka Regency, on Thursday (November 6, 2025).
The event, titled “Synergy to Protect Nature and the Sea for a Harmonious Bangka Belitung,” was attended by representatives from PT TIMAH Tbk, Director of Traffic of the Bangka Belitung Regional Police, Commissioner Pringadhi Supardjan, students, and local community leaders.
The rumpon structures that were submerged were made from confiscated motorcycle exhausts seized by the Bangka Belitung Traffic Police for traffic violations. These exhausts were repurposed into rumpon by PT TIMAH Tbk’s Balai Karya (Workshop Center).
The seized exhausts, which had previously violated regulations, are now being used as tools to attract fish schools, providing ecological and economic benefits to local fishermen while also supporting underwater tourism.
Director of Traffic for the Bangka Belitung Regional Police, Commissioner Pringadhi Supardjan, stated that a total of 2,100 exhausts collected since 2017 were processed into rumpon.
“These rumpon play an important role in preserving the marine ecosystem. We thought these exhausts could be used to make them, so we collaborated with PT TIMAH Tbk, students, and the community. PT TIMAH Tbk has also often carried out rumpon sinking activities,” he said.
He hopes that this initiative will help improve the quality of the marine ecosystem, generate economic impact for local communities, and also support tourism.
“Hopefully, this can support tourism, benefit fishermen, and bring blessings to small and medium enterprises. I also hope PT TIMAH can continue to play a major role in regional development,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Head of Capture Fisheries Production Management at the Bangka Regency Fisheries Department appreciated PT TIMAH Tbk and the Bangka Belitung Police for implementing the rumpon sinking initiative using recycled exhaust materials.
According to him, PT TIMAH Tbk has frequently deployed rumpon in Bangka’s coastal waters, and this program greatly benefits local communities because these rumpon serve as fish habitats, helping fishermen locate fish more easily and directly improving their livelihoods.
“The function of rumpon is to gather fish from small ones to larger ones. Our fishermen usually look for fishing spots, but with rumpon, they already know where to go,” he said.
He hopes the program will continue so that more rumpon sites can be established, which would help increase fishermen’s welfare.
“For coastal fishermen, rumpon serve as long-term fishing aids. Hopefully, PT TIMAH Tbk can continue adding more rumpon sites,” he added.
Similarly, Rebo Village Head Heri expressed appreciation to PT TIMAH Tbk and the Bangka Belitung Police for carrying out environmental conservation efforts that also positively affect the local economy.
“Thank you to PT TIMAH Tbk and the Bangka Belitung Police for their concern for the environment. The rumpon sinking will have an economic impact on the community, especially since many residents here are fishermen—it will help them increase their catch,” he said.
