Bangkalan – The field practicum conducted by students of the Aquaculture Study Program, Marine Science and Technology specialization, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine (FPK) Universitas Airlangga at the Labuhan Mangrove Jung Koneng ecotourism area in Bangkalan, Madura, was not only focused on academic learning related to oceanography and tropical marine ecology. Amid the field observation activities, students and lecturers also carried out a direct environmental action through a beach and mangrove clean-up activity. This initiative reflected the students’ growing environmental awareness and demonstrated how scientific learning can be integrated with real actions to protect coastal ecosystems.
The beach and mangrove clean-up activity was initiated spontaneously after students discovered a considerable amount of waste carried by river currents and accumulated within the mangrove area. As a coastal ecosystem located near estuarine waters and the transition zone between rivers and the open sea, mangrove forests often become the final accumulation point for domestic waste, particularly plastic debris. The condition provided students with a direct reflection on how human activities are closely connected to the health and sustainability of marine ecosystems.
During the practicum, students were not only tasked with measuring oceanographic parameters and environmental conditions, but were also able to directly observe how pollution affects coastal habitats and marine biodiversity. The experience allowed them to understand environmental problems not merely through scientific theories, but through firsthand interaction with the impacted ecosystem. Such experiential learning strengthened students’ awareness of the importance of sustainable coastal management and environmental responsibility within the fisheries and marine sector.
In the clean-up activity, students together with supervising lecturers actively collected waste scattered throughout the coastal and mangrove areas. The simple yet meaningful action became a real implementation of the environmental values that students had previously learned during lectures and laboratory sessions. Through collaborative participation, the activity fostered a stronger sense of responsibility among students toward protecting coastal ecosystems and maintaining environmental sustainability.
Dr. Eng. Sapto Andriyono, S.Pi., M.T., one of the lecturers in the Marine Science and Technology specialization, emphasized that ocean health is not solely determined by natural processes, but is also heavily influenced by human behavior in maintaining the environment. “The ocean health that you are measuring is not only determined by nature. It is also influenced by actions that people often consider small, such as disposing of waste properly. We can start from simple actions, including reducing plastic use and increasing awareness of proper waste disposal,” he stated during the beach clean-up activity.
His message served as an important reminder that environmental conservation efforts must begin with consistent daily actions. Through direct field experiences, students learned that marine science is not only about research and scientific data, but also about social and environmental responsibility. The practicum became an opportunity to instill environmental ethics among future fisheries and marine professionals who will later contribute to sustainable marine resource management in Indonesia.
The activity also aligned closely with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14: Life Below Water through efforts to protect coastal ecosystems from marine debris and pollution. In addition, the clean-up initiative supported SDG 13: Climate Action because effective waste management plays an important role in reducing environmental pollution and climate-related impacts. The collaborative participation between students and lecturers further reflected the implementation of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through academic synergy in creating meaningful environmental action.
More than simply an academic activity, the field practicum successfully built students’ awareness regarding the importance of protecting ecosystems as future academics and fisheries practitioners. The experience is expected to shape students into environmentally conscious individuals who are committed to preserving Indonesia’s coastal and marine resources for future generations.
Through integrated learning that combines scientific knowledge with direct conservation action in the field, FPK UNAIR continues to encourage the development of young marine generations who are not only academically competent, but also socially responsible and environmentally aware. The activity demonstrated that practical education and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand in preparing students to become future leaders in sustainable fisheries and marine development.
Writer: Farrel Bhanu Mahardhika
Editor : TPA
