In a startling case of environmental and economic disruption, an illegally installed bamboo sea fence stretching 30 kilometres along the coast of Tangerang regency in Indonesia’s Banten province has cost local fishermen an estimated Rp 24 billion (US$1.4 million) in income losses. The barrier, which hindered access to traditional fishing grounds for some 4,000 fisherfolk across six districts, has not only slashed their catches but also damaged boats and forced them to incur higher fuel costs to navigate longer routes. As the Indonesian Navy works to dismantle the structure under direct orders from President Prabowo Subianto, questions of criminal intent, maladministration, and falsified permits have surfaced, prompting calls for a thorough investigation.

The Indonesian Ombudsman’s Banten office, which calculated the losses over a six-month period from August 2024 to January 2025, revealed the staggering toll on coastal communities at a press conference in Jakarta on Monday. “Not to mention that the sea barrier has also damaged the boats of these fishermen,” said Fadli Afriadi, head of the Ombudsman’s Banten office, highlighting the multifaceted impact of the obstruction. With the Navy having removed 18.7 kilometres of the fence by late January, the operation to clear the remaining 11.4 kilometres has been delayed by adverse weather, leaving local livelihoods hanging in the balance.

A Barrier to Livelihoods and Law

The bamboo fence, installed without proper licensing, has been described as more than a mere physical obstruction. According to the Ombudsman, there are “strong indications” that the structure was erected to control the surrounding waters, raising suspicions of ulterior motives. While no definitive evidence of wrongdoing has been confirmed, the findings point to potential crimes in its installation, alongside allegations of falsified permits for adjacent shoreline land plots. “We therefore urge law enforcement agencies to investigate potential crimes in the illegal installation of the bamboo sea fence,” Fadli stated, underscoring the need for accountability.

Beyond the immediate economic damage, the Ombudsman has flagged possible maladministration by the Banten Maritime and Fisheries Agency in its oversight of marine resources. Such lapses, if confirmed, could indicate systemic failures in local governance, allowing illegal structures to disrupt vital industries with impunity. For the fishermen of Tangerang, the fence has been a daily gauntlet—boats battered by the barrier, catches diminished by restricted access, and fuel expenses soaring as they detour around the sprawling obstruction.

The Indonesian Navy, alongside the Water and Air Police and other agencies, launched a joint operation on 18 January to dismantle the fence, following a direct order from President Prabowo Subianto. By 28 January, nearly two-thirds of the structure had been removed in segments across Tangerang. However, high waves and bad weather forced a temporary suspension the following day. “The operation will resume once the weather permits,” Navy spokesperson Commodore I Made Wira Hady told local media on Tuesday, signaling the government’s resolve to address the crisis despite natural challenges.

The economic fallout from the sea fence is stark. The Rp 24 billion loss estimate, while substantial, may only scratch the surface of the broader impact on Tangerang’s fishing communities. With 4,000 fishermen affected, the barrier has disrupted not just individual incomes but entire local economies reliant on the daily catch. Families dependent on fishing for their primary source of income now face uncertainty, with no immediate compensation or relief in sight.

The social implications are equally concerning. Coastal communities in Indonesia often operate on tight margins, with little buffer to absorb sudden financial shocks. The added costs of fuel and boat repairs have pushed many into precarious positions, potentially exacerbating poverty and inequality in the region. While the government’s intervention to remove the fence is a step forward, the delay caused by weather conditions has prolonged the hardship for those most affected.

Moreover, the incident raises broader questions about the protection of Indonesia’s marine resources and the rights of traditional fisherfolk. Illegal structures like the Tangerang sea fence are not isolated phenomena; they reflect a recurring tension between development interests, resource control, and the livelihoods of small-scale fishers across the archipelago. If the Ombudsman’s suspicions of deliberate water control are substantiated, the case could set a precedent for how authorities address similar encroachments in the future.

Legal and Political Dimensions

The unfolding scandal has drawn attention from multiple state bodies, with the Indonesian police intensifying their probe into the circumstances surrounding the fence’s installation. Separately, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has indicated it will investigate the case independently of the Attorney General’s Office, suggesting the possibility of deeper systemic corruption or abuse of power. While no individuals or entities have been formally accused, the overlapping inquiries signal a multi-pronged effort to uncover the truth.

Politically, the issue has placed pressure on local and national authorities to demonstrate their commitment to justice and transparency. President Prabowo Subianto’s direct involvement in ordering the fence’s removal underscores the case’s significance, reflecting a broader push to safeguard Indonesia’s natural resources and protect vulnerable communities. However, the pace of progress—hampered by logistical challenges—risks undermining public confidence if delays persist.

If the allegations of falsified permits and maladministration are confirmed, the fallout could extend beyond Tangerang, prompting a reevaluation of how marine and coastal zones are managed across Banten and beyond. For now, the focus remains on dismantling the physical barrier, but the legal and administrative barriers to justice may prove equally formidable.

Environmental Concerns and Future Risks

Beyond its economic and legal ramifications, the bamboo sea fence has sparked concerns about environmental damage. While the primary focus has been on fishermen’s losses, the barrier’s presence may have disrupted local marine ecosystems, affecting fish migration patterns and coastal biodiversity. Such impacts, though not yet fully assessed, could have long-term consequences for the sustainability of Tangerang’s fishing industry.

Environmentalists have also pointed to the case as a reminder of the need for stricter enforcement of coastal regulations. Illegal installations not only harm livelihoods but can also degrade fragile ecosystems that Indonesia has pledged to protect under national and international frameworks. If similar structures are found elsewhere, as some activists fear, the cumulative effect on the country’s marine environment could be severe.

A Call for Accountability

As the Navy prepares to resume its operation and investigations continue, the Tangerang sea fence saga stands as a stark illustration of the challenges facing Indonesia’s coastal communities. The economic losses borne by fishermen, the potential crimes behind the barrier’s installation, and the broader implications for governance and environmental stewardship all demand urgent attention.

For the 4,000 fisherfolk of Tangerang, the removal of the remaining 11.4 kilometres of fence cannot come soon enough. Yet, even once the physical barrier is gone, the task of rebuilding trust, livelihoods, and accountability will remain. If the government and law enforcement agencies can deliver on their promises of justice, this case could mark a turning point in how Indonesia protects its seas and the people who depend on them. Until then, the fishermen of Tangerang wait, their boats idle and their futures uncertain, for the tide to turn in their favour.