The Surabaya administration in East Java plans to improve the economy of hundreds of fishermen and fish farmers in four districts located along the east coast of Surabaya (Pamurbaya) through the cultivation of mangrove trees.

Fishing and fish-farming communities in the four coastal districts — Mulyorejo, Sukolilo, Rungkut and Gunung Anyar — are called on to not only engage in fishing and fish-farming activities, but also to actively participate in converting the coastal areas into mangrove forests.

The residents in the four districts have been asked to provide mangrove seedlings, so they can be sold to institutions that are concerned with coastal conservation efforts in Surabaya.

The communities have also been asked to take care and maintain the seedlings until they mature.

“If these places become interesting areas for visitors, they [the residents] woul...