The Cry of The Last Fish Trap

KOMPAS/ICHWAN SUSANTO

An officer at Bandar Bakau tourist site in Dumai, Riau prepares seeds to be planted in a ceremony to celebrate International Mangrove Day on Saturday (27/7/2019). In Riau, there are 180,000 hectares of mangrove forests, of which 30,000 hectares require restoration.

The presence of ports and factories as well as an increase of waste in Riau’s Dumai city threatens mangrove trees and the aquatic ecosystem. The activities of the local fishermen are also being affected.

The fishermen are afraid to go home as they fear their children will ask them for money to pay their school fees. They really miss the smile and warmth of their wives, but they are afraid to meet them because the owners of the shops near their house will ask them to pay their debts.