The Fate of Piamari: Cancelled or Delayed?

Fargusno

Fargusno

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
If anyone hasn't heard of it yet, Piamari (Pangandaran Integrated Aquarium and Marine Institute) was supposed to be the largest aquarium in Indonesia, rivaling SeaWorld Ancol and Jakarta Aquarium. It was supposed to open in March 2020, but the pandemic held back the aquarium from opening since the first cases were detected on the same month. Many cities in Indonesia went on a lockdown that lasted from March to May, until the cases decreased significantly.

From what I see on this website, the building is ready and the tanks has been filled with water. I heard that there are plans of importing Sand Tiger Sharks and Sandbar Sharks from Guangzhou, China. The last Sand Tiger Shark housed in Indonesia was in SeaWorld Ancol back in its early days, until it died from intestinal bleeding. Sandbar Sharks hasn't been housed in Indonesian aquariums yet, but SeaWorld Ancol used to house Grey Reef Sharks and a female Bull Shark that lasted from 2007 to 2012. The Bull Shark was euthanized since it was too dangerous. (sigh)

Anyways, does anyone here knows what happens to Piamari? Was it canned/abandoned or its opening is delayed to 2021, when vaccinations starts in Indonesia? If it was delayed to 2021, it might be opening on Q2 or Q3 2021, when the vaccinations are halfway done and herd immunity has restored normal life for Indonesians.

Akuarium Terowongan Terpanjang di Indonesia, Tebak Ada di Mana?
 
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This exhibit over here was supposed to be a freshwater tank in Piamari, showcasing native freshwater species, although it fits more as a saltwater tank since those curved walls could work for large rays.
 

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I guess it's delayed until everyone get the vaccine. I didn't know about this aquarium, glad that you create this thread.
 
Nandito said:
I guess it's delayed until everyone get the vaccine. I didn't know about this aquarium, glad that you create this thread.
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I remembered it because I used to be hyped when the aquarium was being built back in 2019, and I planned to go there this year when the aquarium opened. But alas..
 
The Pangandaran Integrated Aquarium and Marine Research Institute (PIAMARI), located in Pangandaran, West Java, will open to the public in mid-December. There is going to be only four exhibits: A cylinder schooling fish aquarium, touch pool, a large planted freshwater aquarium, and large saltwater aquarium.

PIAMARI consist of two buildings, the aquarium and a research center. There is also a mangrove garden located outdoor and a museum located in the touch pool area. The research center will be opened in the second week of December.

The animal that is already exhibited at the aquarium is the milkfish (Chanos chanos), housed in the cylindar aquarium. The cylinder aquarium temporary housed the snubnose pompano (Trachinotus blochii) before they decided to add a milkfish instead.

Animals that are confirmed to be housed in the large saltwater aquarium is the giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus), blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus), sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus), and sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus), delivered from Guangzhou, China. This is the second time that a Indonesian aquarium keep a sand tiger shark. Brief story, there is a single sand tiger shark delivered from Australia in SeaWorld Ancol from 1998 to 1999. It died from a ruptured blood vessel. Jakarta Aquarium had a plan to acquire this species, but it was cancelled because they were concerned that they will attack the mermaid performers. This is the first time a sandbar shark is keep in Indonesia.
 
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Fargusno said:
Pertengahan Desember 2020 PIAMARI Aquarium Pangandaran di Buka
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Translation:

In mid-December 2020, PIAMARI will be opened

PIAMARI or Pangandaran Integrated Aquarium and Marine Research Institute, which was built by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in the Cikidang Port in Babakan Village, Pangandaran District, Pangandaran Regency starting in 2017, it is planned to open in the second week of December 2020.

This was conveyed by the coordinator of PIAMARI, Agus Setiawan, "It is likely to be opened by the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (Edhy Prabowo). But in the second week of December, there is plan for a soft opening for the aquarium in PIAMARI," said Agus. Agus said, they were currently preparing by beautifying the aquarium and so on, so that it can be worth visiting by tourists.

"Now the aquarium is being refined to make it beautiful. Our target that in November, the aquarium can be filled with water and a number of saltwater fish," said Agus.

Agus explained, in the PIAMARI building, there are three large aquariums. First entering the building on the ground floor, tourists can see a schooling fishaquarium in the shape of a cylinder with a depth of 7 meters and a width of 5 meters.

"Later, it will be filled with fish that swims in groups," said Agus.

Continue, tourists can continue to the top floor, there is a maritime museum about maritime activities, mostly about the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.

Not far from the museum, said Agus, there is a touch pool for children to touch fish, rocks and starfish, there is also a three-dimensional paintings so tourists can take selfies.

After that, he continued, tourists enter a tunnel aquarium filled with freshwater fish species with a length of 47 meters, a depth of 3 meters and an average width of 3 meters.

Agus said, the plan for this freshwater aquarium is that it will be planted with aquatic plants, called aquascape.

"If this freshwater aquarium is finished, it will become the largest aquascape in the world. Because the aquascape in Portugal is only 40 meters long, while the one in Pangandaran reaches 47 meters and it's deeper and wider," he explained.

Furthermore, Agus said, after entering the aquarium tunnel, tourists can enter a "theater aquarium".

"But now the aquarium theater has not been installed with benches for the audience. The theater aquarium will be used for education and socialization about disasters, conservation and so on, in front of a 30 meters long, 10 meters wide and 4 meters deep saltwater aquarium which will be filled with stingrays, sharks, several large groupers, snubnose pompano and some reef fish, "said Agus.

On the second floor there is a room for audio visuals, but according to Agus, this year it has not been opened, alongside the diving tour in the theater aquarium.

"So after that, tourists are directed to the souvenir room and it's finished," said Agus, as he hoped that the existence of a giant aquarium in PIAMARI could increase tourist visits to Pangandaran.
 
Fargusno said:
Akuarium Terowongan Terpanjang di Indonesia, Tebak Ada di Mana?
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Translation:

The Longest Tunnel Aquarium in Indonesia, Guess Where?

Indonesia has the longest tunnel aquarium. Want to know where it is?

The longest tunnel aquarium is in the Pangandaran Integrated Aquarium and Marine Research Institute or PIAMARI, belonging to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. The building is located in the Cikidang Port, Babakan Village, Pangandaran Regency, West Java.

This tunnel aquarium has a length of 47,895 meters. The aquarium was built for educational tourism and marine research facilities. BUMN, PT Amarta Karya (Persero) or commonly known as AMKA, is the contractor of the buildings.

AMKA's Corporate Secretary, Brisben Rasyid, said that the construction of this giant aquarium is a big achievement because not many contractors are trusted to build such a building.

"We are honored to be working with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to build this facility and hope it will bring great benefits to the marine research in Indonesia," said Brisben at AMKA's head office in Bekasi, West Java, Tuesday, January 22, 2020.

PIAMARI consists of three main buildings. The three buildings are a research building, a dormitory building for students or research staff, and a building containing three large aquariums that will become showrooms and open for tours. The theater aquarium is 4.2 meters high and 10 meters wide by 32.58 meters long.

There is also a schooling fish aquarium with a height of 7 meters and a diameter of 5 meters. One more thing that is not left behind is the tunnel aquarium with a height of 3 meters, a width of 3 meters, and a length of up to 47,895 meters.

To ensure the strength and safety of the aquarium, they have conducted a series of tests, including leakage tests and earthquake shock tests. Initially the PIAMARI buildings could be opened to the public in March 2020. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has postponed the inauguration ceremony of the 92 billion rupiah buildings.
 
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Fargusno said:
Piamari, Aquarium Raksasa Pangandaran Siap Dibuka Tahun Depan - Harapan Rakyat Online
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Translation:

PIAMARI, Pangandaran's Giant Aquarium Ready to Open Next Year

Pangandaran Regency is synonymous with beach tourism. There are many tourist options that can be enjoyed by tourists when visiting Pangandaran, one of which is the Pangandaran Giant PIAMARI Aquarium which is currently being prepared.

It is planned that the giant aquarium built by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in the Susi Pudjiastuti era will be opened next year.

Jeje Wiradinata, Regent of Pangandaraan, said that currently Piamari Pangandaran is still in the trial process to fix anything that is lacking.

"Piamari is one of the educational tourism objects in Pangandaran Regency," he said.

Jeje also expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries for building a giant aquarium in Pangandaran.

The existence of PIAMARI Pangandaran, according to Jeje, is one of the attractions for tourists that visit Pangandaran.

"PIAMARI can also attract tourists to come to Pangandaran Regency," he said.

Jeje added, currently Pangandaran Regency government is also coordinating with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries regarding road access to locations that have not yet been built.

"In the future, as soon as possible, it will be communicated with the ministry," said Jeje.

In addition, Jeje also emphasized that Piamari will be opened next year.

"Next year, God willing, the giant Pangandaran PIAMARI aquarium can be opened to the public and hope to be patient when we open it," concluded Jeje.
 
Nandito said:
Translation:

PIAMARI, Pangandaran's Giant Aquarium Ready to Open Next Year

Pangandaran Regency is synonymous with beach tourism. There are many tourist options that can be enjoyed by tourists when visiting Pangandaran, one of which is the Pangandaran Giant PIAMARI Aquarium which is currently being prepared.

It is planned that the giant aquarium built by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in the Susi Pudjiastuti era will be opened next year.

Jeje Wiradinata, Regent of Pangandaraan, said that currently Piamari Pangandaran is still in the trial process to fix anything that is lacking.

"Piamari is one of the educational tourism objects in Pangandaran Regency," he said.

Jeje also expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries for building a giant aquarium in Pangandaran.

The existence of PIAMARI Pangandaran, according to Jeje, is one of the attractions for tourists that visit Pangandaran.

"PIAMARI can also attract tourists to come to Pangandaran Regency," he said.

Jeje added, currently Pangandaran Regency government is also coordinating with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries regarding road access to locations that have not yet been built.

"In the future, as soon as possible, it will be communicated with the ministry," said Jeje.

In addition, Jeje also emphasized that Piamari will be opened next year.

"Next year, God willing, the giant Pangandaran PIAMARI aquarium can be opened to the public and hope to be patient when we open it," concluded Jeje.
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Thx for translating all of the Indonesian news links to English!!
 
Piamari has added an wobbegong (Either maculatus or leptolineatus) to the touch pool (I don't know that it could work). The aquarium received two wobbegong from a fishermen, but only one survived.

Additionaly, an aquarium depicting a ilustration of underwater archeological activity is displayed. The circular aquarium is converted into a coral reef aquarium with pennant coralfish, threespot dascyllus, bluering angelfish, and several other fish, some of the milkfish remained there. Piamari has also added an hawksbill sea turtle in the main aquarium.
 
Apparently, there aren't any news about the sandtiger and sandbar sharks (Atleast I haven't heard), I'm guessing they're instead moved to the aquarium in Bintaro in South Jakarta, since they planned to have "large sharks" according to the staff that @Fargusno talked to.
 
PIAMARI, now rebranded as Aquarium Indonesia Pangandaran will be opening soon on December 2022. The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries has transferred the ownership of the aquarium and its contents (including its animals) to PT. Tridacna Banyu Lestari, an independent corporation.

Pangandaran Miliki Aquarium Terbesar dan Terpanjang di Indonesia, Ganti Nama Jadi Aquarium Indonesia - Tribunjabar.id

Instagram account:
Aquarium Indonesia Pangandaran (@aquarium_ind) • Instagram photos and videos
 
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