“We appreciate the government’s support and the increased public awareness in efforts to conserve this dolphin. The Irawaddy Dolphin is one of Indonesia's rare species and it plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems. Through these conservation efforts, we strive to uphold environmental sustainability and national fauna diversity,” Pertamina VP Corporate Communication Fadjar Djoko Santoso said.

The Mahakam Irawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is a legally protected endemic species of the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan. In 2020, the species was classified as critically endangered (CR) according to the IUCN Red List.

Fadjar explained that in addition to contributing to efforts to protect Irrawaddy dolphins, Pertamina, through Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM), also empowers local communities to promote economic growth through community-based tourism activities. One of these initiatives involves collaborating with community-based tourism groups (Pokdarwis) to establish a nautical museum as an education center for tourists, installing informational boards within the conservation area and ensuring that tourist boats do not disrupt the habitat of the dolphins. Pela Village has also enacted Village Regulation (Perdes) No. 2 of 2018 regarding the prohibition of non-environmentally friendly fishing gear.

Another effort includes the creation of an “acoustic pinger” installed on fishing nets. This pinger emits sonar frequencies that deter Mahakam Irrawaddy Dolphins from getting close to fishing nets. The implementation of the acoustic pingers has successfully reduced the number of Mahakam Irrawaddy Dolphins caught in fishing nets.

Based on data collected by the Conservation Foundation for Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia (Yayasan Konservasi RASI), entanglement in fishing nets is a leading cause of Mahakam Irrawaddy Dolphin fatalities. The acoustic pinger innovation, through sound resonance modification, effectively deters the dolphins from entangling in the fishing nets.

“Accidental entanglement in fishing nets accounts for up to 70 percent of all Mahakam Irrawaddy Dolphin fatalities. Using a tool that can keep the dolphins away from the fishing nets would be highly beneficial,” explained Yayasan Konservasi RASI Activist Danielle Kreb.

The Mahakam Irrawaddy Dolphin program has received recognition, including international acclaim through the 15th Annual Global CSR (corporate social responsibility) & ESG Summit and Awards 2023 and was shortlisted for the Biodiversity Award Champion at the Reuters Responsible Business Awards 2023. Meanwhile, Pela Village has emerged as one of Indonesia's representatives in the United Nations World Tourism Organization - Best Tourism Villages (UNWTO - BTV) competition. In 2022, Pela Village achieved the 3rd place nationally in the Institutional category of the Indonesian Tourism Village Awards 2022 from the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry.

Pertamina has successfully conserved approximately 800,000 animals through the Pertamina Fauna Conservation Program and remains committed to contributing to environmental conservation, inviting all stakeholders to join in preserving biodiversity and the environment in Indonesia.

As a leading company in the energy transition sector, Pertamina is committed to supporting the Net Zero Emission 2060 target by continuously promoting programs that directly impact the achievement of SDGs. All these efforts align with the implementation of ESG principles across all of Pertamina's business lines and operations.

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