SALMON, short for Social and Learning Activity with Morality for Nation, is one of the flagship community service programs organized by the Ministry of Social Affairs (SOSMA) of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine (FPK) Universitas Airlangga. This annual program reflects UNAIR students’ commitment to applying academic knowledge through community empowerment and environmental conservation. SALMON 2025 involved 58 students from the Aquaculture and Fish Product Technology study programs, carrying out a series of activities including community service in Penatarsewu Village, a coastal clean-up and mangrove planting, and a coralology agenda in Banyuwangi.
Following the success of the first two activities, the community service in Penatarsewu and the beach clean-up with mangrove planting, the final part of SALMON 2025 took place in Banyuwangi, where participants engaged in a coralology guest lecture at Mojo Campus of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FIKKIA) and a coral transplantation activity at Bangsring Beach. The team departed on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 2:45 a.m., traveling for approximately eight hours aboard a 60-seat bus. Upon arrival at Mojo Campus, participants prepared themselves, performed Friday prayers, and attended the guest lecture session that began at 2:00 p.m.
The coralology lecture was delivered by Mr. Suciyono, S.St.Pi., M.P., a lecturer at the Aquaculture Study Program of FIKKIA Banyuwangi, and Mr. Sukirno, a representative of the coral community in Bangsring. Both speakers introduced the students to the fundamentals of coral reefs, their types, ecological functions, methods for coral rehabilitation, and coral growth monitoring techniques. The session concluded with an engaging discussion, allowing students to deepen their understanding of coral ecosystems. The activity ended with a token of appreciation presented to the speakers in the form of plaques and certificates from the SALMON 2025 committee.
On the following day, Saturday, September 27, 2025, participants continued their journey to Bangsring Beach for the coral transplantation activity, guided by the local coral community led by Mr. Sukirno. In addition to planting coral fragments, students also interviewed local residents to collect data for their upcoming community service journal publication. In total, SALMON 2025 successfully transplanted 36 coral fragments organized into four racks, with each rack containing nine corals. The initiative symbolizes FPK UNAIR students’ real contribution to marine conservation efforts.
Through the coral transplantation, SALMON 2025 hopes the newly planted corals will grow healthily and sustainably, helping restore and protect the coral reef ecosystem. A healthy coral reef ecosystem supports the biodiversity of ornamental fish and crustaceans that inhabit surrounding areas. This initiative not only enhances environmental awareness among students but also strengthens their role as future agents of change in marine conservation. SALMON 2025 stands as a testament to FPK UNAIR’s dedication to community service, research-based action, and environmental sustainability through education and real-world practice.
