KARIMUN -- A total of 460 anglers from various regions took part in the 2026 Pongkar Beach Fishing Competition #2, organized by the Pagar Alam Youth Organization of Pongkar Village, Tebing District, Karimun Regency, Riau Islands, on Sunday (September 13, 2026). Supported by PT TIMAH Tbk, the event served as both a fishing competition and an initiative to promote the tourism potential of Pongkar Beach.
Held in RW 2 of Pongkar Beach, Pongkar Village, this was the second edition of the event following its inaugural competition in August 2025. Participation increased significantly from last year, when more than 300 anglers took part.
Deni, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 2026 Pongkar Beach Fishing Competition #2, said participants came not only from the Karimun area, but also from Kundur, Tanjung Batu, Penyalai, Batam, and even Malaysia.
“Alhamdulillah, this year we had 460 participants from various regions. Enthusiasm was also higher than last year,” Deni said.
During the competition, participants competed to catch the largest or heaviest fish. The committee selected 10 winners based on the size of their catches. One participant from Parit Benut secured first place after catching a 4.6-kilogram stingray in open waters.
According to Deni, the growing number of participants reflects strong public enthusiasm for fishing activities and creates an opportunity for the competition to become an annual event in Pongkar Village.
“Most people here are fishermen. Through activities like this, we want to showcase the marine and tourism potential of Pongkar Village so that more people in Karimun can recognize and appreciate the potential we have,” he said.
He added that the event was not solely focused on competition, but also provided an opportunity for local communities and young people to collaborate in organizing positive activities.
Deni expressed his appreciation for the support provided by PT TIMAH Tbk and the Karimun Regency Government, including their assistance in providing prizes for participants.
“We would like to thank PT TIMAH for its support and contribution to youth activities. The company also supported us last year, and we hope to receive its support again next year,” he said.
He hopes that collaboration among young people, local communities, the regional government, and companies will continue to grow, enabling more positive activities to be organized in Pongkar Village. (*)
