Fishers in Indonesia’s Riau Islands Oppose Planned Sand Mining Amid Concerns Over Turbidity and Livelihoods

Local fishers around Numbing Island, part of Indonesia’s Riau archipelago, have rallied against a proposed sea‑sand mining project that authorities say will dredge marine sediment to accommodate large ship traffic. Fisher Edy, who earns 1–2 million rupiah ($55–$110) per trip and makes four trips a month, warns that dredging will increase water turbidity, drive fish away from traditional habitats, and force fishers to travel farther to find catches. He cites a previous sand‑mining episode near Batam that left waters cloudy. The opposition now includes lawmakers, while local officials argue the project is essential for shipping and exempt from Indonesia’s coastal sand‑mining ban. The debate underscores the tension between industrial development and the sustainability of a region’s richest fishing grounds.