IN Diplomacy interviewed AL Eka Fishworld on its aquaculture business, coral restoration programme, marine conservation initiatives and regional expansion from Timor-Leste to Singapore.
In an interview with IN Diplomacy, Ms Eka Mardiarti from AL Eka Fishworld, Lda outlined the company’s development of aquaculture and coral restoration initiatives in Timor-Leste, highlighting efforts to support marine conservation, sustainable fisheries and local economic development. The interview also explored the company’s regional expansion through Singapore and its growing international partnerships in the blue economy.
What first drew you to the aquaculture industry?
Knowing I have no background or experiences about Marine biology or Aquaculture at all, it is always my interest to explore new adventures. The opportunity arise back in 2020 where my connection from US approached me to set up Aquaculture Business in Timor Leste.
After conducting market research and opportunity market in Timor Leste, I agreed to embark on Aquaculture venture. I quickly set up a meeting with The Minister of Agriculture and Fishery, Mr Pedro Dos Reis and presented our business proposal. To the Minister and his Fishery Department team. He was supportive and approved us the license to run Aquaculture Business from ornamental Fish and Edible Fish Farm. We established our company, AL Eka Fishworld Lda on November 2020 registered in Timor Leste. The government sectors from Ministry of Agriculture & Fishery, Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Trade Invest of Timor Lest sopport our initiatives in Timor Leste to open up job opportunity for locals and economy growth of Timor Leste.
Why did you decide to build this initiative in Singapore and Timor Leste?
In August 2024, we expanded and registered our company in Singapore as a parent company, Marenum Pte Ltd. We see the potential Singapore as hub for international market and shipping. We have started to ship our fishery products into Singapore then Taiwan, UK. With seanless and efficient process of importing fishery products, Singapore is able to provide a bridge to access other international market. Hence there is a need to have a base in Singapore.
Coral permaculture is still a niche industry in this Region. What made you see the potential in this industry?
When we first given the government land to utilise for our fishery farm in Atabae, we see some concerns with corals conditions and habitats. There were more rocks and sandy sea bed than corals reef under water. Our fish farm is located on the beach side hence we did diving and snorkel to evaluate ocean’s condition. With no coral reels, there is no surprise of there are not many fishes around. It’s like swimming in Giant swimming pool with nothing underneath. This is where we initiated to start coral restoration around our area to create ecosystem balance of Ocean. By restoring coral, we are creating homes for marine fisheries and beauty underwater world. Since 2023, we started our coral restoration, we have created 70 coral tables and millions marine fishes guarding our coral tables. We also have VIP visitors now from lobster, dolphins and octopus. We hope to see turtle soon.
One of AL Eka Fishworld initiatives allows visitors to sponsor and plant coral tables. How did this idea come about and what has the response been like so far?
We took our friends to snorkel around our coral restoration and they were amazed on how much fishes around with underworld beauty. They advised me to open up opportunity to public and invite them to fun learning as part of their coral restoration contribution. Then the idea for fun learning coral restoration started.
Coral restoration is one of AI Eka Fishworld‘s main project. What has the journey been like since launching of it?
It has been 3 years remarkably journey for our coral restoration project. We had great responses from schools, university, nonprofit organisation and guests from all over the worlds visited our coral restoration from UK, US, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Fiji, Switzerland, Indonesia and even Nigeria. Upcoming guests we will have guests from China, Germany and hopefully many others countries.
We have been invited by school and Universities to share knowledge about coral restoration. We invented 3D coral print and PVC coral tables part of coral restoration workshop. Then followed by visitor our coral site for hands-on coral restoration and installation under water.
