Surabaya – Indonesia’s fisheries and maritime sector holds enormous potential that remains largely underutilized. Responding to this challenge, Ahmad Fadhil Damarmanah Goesti Putra (Damar), Vice President of the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine (FPK) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), shared his insights during a live television interview on JTV on 12 May 2026 as part of the Maritime Fest series. Through the broadcast, Damar highlighted the strategic role of young generations in driving innovation and sustainable development within Indonesia’s maritime sector.
The special dialogue session also featured the President of the Student Executive Board of the Faculty of Vocational Studies and Technology at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) and students from SMKN 3 Buduran. During the discussion, Damar pointed out a concerning reality: the interest of Generation Z in pursuing studies and careers related to fisheries and maritime sciences remains relatively low despite Indonesia’s vast marine resources and strategic maritime position. According to him, this situation presents both a challenge and an opportunity for educational institutions to encourage greater youth participation in the sector.
Damar emphasized that Generation Z, often referred to as digital natives, possesses unique capabilities that can accelerate technological transformation within fisheries and maritime industries. He noted that the sector requires innovative and technologically skilled human resources who can integrate digital solutions into fisheries production, marine resource management, and sustainable coastal development. By combining technological expertise with marine science knowledge, young people can become key drivers of Indonesia’s future maritime economy.
In addition to addressing educational challenges, Damar also challenged common misconceptions regarding career prospects in the fisheries sector. He explained that fisheries and marine graduates have access to a wide range of professional opportunities, including aquaculture, fisheries technology, marine conservation, seafood processing, environmental management, research, and entrepreneurship. According to him, the demand for qualified professionals in the fisheries sector continues to grow, while the supply of skilled graduates remains limited. This condition creates significant opportunities for young professionals seeking meaningful and impactful careers within Indonesia’s blue economy.
Damar’s confidence in the sector is strongly influenced by the academic foundation he received at FPK UNAIR. He explained that students are introduced to fundamental fisheries and aquaculture concepts from their first semester through courses such as Basic Aquaculture and Basic Fisheries Product Processing. These learning experiences provide students with both theoretical understanding and practical perspectives on the challenges and opportunities within the fisheries industry. Through a combination of classroom learning, field practice, and industry exposure, students are encouraged to develop innovative solutions that support sustainable fisheries development.
Drawing from his internship experience at fish hatcheries and aquaculture facilities in Situbondo, Damar shared his aspiration to become a modern fish farmer who utilizes Internet of Things (IoT) technology to improve production efficiency. He believes digital technology has the potential to transform conventional aquaculture practices by enabling more accurate monitoring, better resource management, and higher productivity. However, he stressed that technological advancement must always be accompanied by environmental responsibility.
For Damar, the future of fisheries development should be guided by the principles of the blue economy, which emphasize sustainability, resource efficiency, and environmental protection. This vision inspired him to develop an innovation known as “KJA Smart,” a smart aquaculture system designed for pond environments. The innovation aims to collect sediment and organic waste that accumulate at the bottom of ponds and redirect them into aquaponic systems, where the nutrients can be reused for plant cultivation. Through this circular approach, waste can be minimized while maximizing resource utilization and environmental sustainability.
During the interview, Damar also expressed his appreciation for JTV’s Maritime Fest initiative. He praised the event for creating opportunities to increase public awareness of Indonesia’s maritime potential while promoting education and engagement among younger generations. According to him, large-scale public events such as Maritime Fest can help bridge the gap between society and the maritime sector by presenting fisheries and marine issues in a more accessible and inspiring way.
The enthusiasm surrounding Maritime Fest has also been evident among students at FPK UNAIR. Damar revealed that he had shared information about one of the festival’s featured activities, the Beach Fun Run, with fellow students and received overwhelmingly positive responses. He believes that events combining education, recreation, and public participation can play an important role in encouraging greater appreciation for marine resources and coastal sustainability.
Damar concluded by expressing his hope that Maritime Fest would continue to inspire students from elementary school through high school to explore opportunities in fisheries and maritime fields. He emphasized that Indonesia’s future maritime development depends on the active involvement of young generations who are equipped with knowledge, innovation, and a strong commitment to sustainability. Through initiatives such as Maritime Fest and the continued contribution of students and young leaders, Indonesia’s vision of becoming a globally competitive maritime nation can move closer to reality.
The participation of FPK UNAIR students in public outreach activities such as this also reflects the faculty’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through knowledge dissemination, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through the promotion of future career opportunities in fisheries and maritime industries, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through technological innovation, SDG 14 (Life Below Water) through sustainable marine resource management, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaboration between academia, media, and society.
Writer : Terry Previo Avianto
Editor : MNGA
