Irsyan Hasyim, Jakarta – Professor at the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science at IPB University, Yonvitner, has raised several points regarding President Prabowo Subianto's plan to build a giant sea wall that spans 700 kilometers.

He stated that the sea wall is necessary for preventing abrasion, harmonizing space, and protecting habitats and settlements. "It's just a note, first, a sea wall doesn't always have to mean reclamation. Second, a precise study is needed for the sea wall model. A sea wall doesn't always have to be in the form of an island or a wall, but it could also be a green infrastructure model," said Yonvitner in a written statement on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

"The existing sea conditions with the potential for subsidence and sea level rise must also be calculated," he added.

Yonvitner, as the Head of the Center for Coastal and Marine Resource Studies (PKSPL) at IPB University, stated that the construction of the giant sea wall will bring about several impacts, including disruption to carbon deposits, access disturbance, and negative impacts on ecosystems and fishing areas.

The plan for the 700-kilometer-long giant sea wall spans from Banten to East Java. Previously, Prabowo also instructed his staff to study the construction of a giant sea wall stretching from Jakarta to Cirebon as a National Strategic Program (PSN) for 2025.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1974418/ipb-university-professor-warns-of-prabowos-giant-sea-wall-impact