Johor, Malaysia, September 5, 2025 — Six students from the Aquaculture Study Program, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK), Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) — namely Tirsa Ruthdita Puspita Sari, Mercia Meixi, Lintang Fitrasasi Maharani, Edo Rizky Pratama Rajagukguk, Ahmad Hasrum, and Arka Samsul Dzakiy — had the valuable opportunity to participate in the International Field Internship Program at the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). This program provided participants with not only an academic learning experience but also practical exposure through immersive field activities. One of the key components of the program was the Intertidal Night Walk (INW), conducted on Friday, September 5, 2025, at Teluk Gorek, Endau, Mersing, Johor, Malaysia. The activity was designed as part of field-based learning to study coastal and intertidal ecosystems, particularly the nocturnal behavior of marine organisms that emerge during low tide. The session took place from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM local time, guided by field supervisors, laboratory assistants, and participating internship students.
During the observation, participants explored the exposed coastal area created by the nighttime low tide, equipped with headlamps and digital cameras to document marine species encountered along the way. They also carried small buckets to temporarily collect marine organisms for closer examination before safely returning them to their habitats. As the group traversed the sandy shores, rocky surfaces, and shallow tidal pools, students conducted systematic observations of the organisms and environmental conditions. Among the notable findings were crabs of various sizes actively moving among the rocks. All observations were carefully recorded in field journals, supported by photographic documentation that would later serve as reference material for their official internship report.
A remarkable diversity of marine organisms was identified during the activity, including sea anemones, crabs, starfish, scorpion fish, sea cucumbers, cowries (sea snails), mudskippers, and several species of marine algae. Participants also explored the coral formations near the coastline, which showcased a wide range of shapes and vibrant colors. The sea anemones found displayed diverse hues such as green, purple, and blue, providing students with valuable insights into the biodiversity and adaptive characteristics of intertidal life. Through this hands-on experience, students not only enhanced their skills in identifying marine biodiversity but also deepened their understanding of the ecological roles of each organism within the intertidal ecosystem.
The field activity served as an essential component of the students’ Practical Work (PKL) program, emphasizing the integration of classroom learning with real-world environmental exploration. The data and findings collected from this activity will contribute to the students’ academic reports and future research studies focusing on coastal ecosystem dynamics. Furthermore, the experience fostered a strong sense of scientific curiosity, teamwork, and environmental awareness among participants. The activity was carried out in a safe, structured, and enthusiastic atmosphere, reflecting the commitment of both UNAIR and UKM to promoting international academic collaboration and experiential learning in marine science.
Through this international internship, students of the Aquaculture Study Program at FPK UNAIR gained not only scientific and technical competence but also cross-cultural perspectives on marine research and environmental sustainability. The collaboration between UNAIR and UKM demonstrates the shared vision of both institutions in cultivating globally minded marine scientists capable of addressing future challenges in the aquaculture and coastal conservation sectors.
