Sabah, Malaysia, October 23, 2025 – The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK) at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), in collaboration with the Borneo Marine Research Institute (IPMB) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), successfully conducted a joint community service program in Kampung Pituru Laut, Kota Belud, Sabah. Kampung Pituru Laut is a small coastal community currently undergoing improvements in its basic infrastructure through various development initiatives. This joint program was designed to educate and empower local fishermen with practical knowledge on maintaining hygiene, sanitation, and post-harvest fish handling to improve their livelihoods and community well-being.
The event began with a training session on the importance of sanitation and hygiene for fishermen, delivered by Lailatul Lutfiyah, lecturer at FPK UNAIR. The material emphasized how proper hygiene practices can help fishermen reduce health risks, not only for themselves but also for their crew members, families, and the wider community. “This material is very important to ensure good sanitation and hygiene among fishermen,” stated Lakin, head of the local fishermen’s association. Improved hygiene practices are essential to enhance the quality and safety of fish products, which in turn can increase income potential. Additionally, better hygiene contributes to safer working and living environments, creating broader social and economic benefits for the community.
Following the sanitation session, participants received additional training on proper post-harvest fish handling, presented by Laksmi Sulmartiwi, another FPK UNAIR lecturer. The session highlighted the importance of maintaining fish quality after capture to ensure it remains safe, nutritious, and of high economic value for consumers. The discussion covered key techniques such as immediate cooling after capture, cleaning of equipment, and avoiding direct sunlight exposure. These steps are crucial in slowing down bacterial growth and spoilage, thereby preserving the freshness and market value of the fish for longer periods.
Throughout the program, participants showed great enthusiasm, engaging actively in discussions and demonstrations. Based on the pre-event questionnaire distributed to participants, most fishermen initially lacked awareness about the significance of hygiene and proper post-harvest handling practices. However, after the training sessions, participants demonstrated a clear understanding of how clean handling and sanitation practices play a vital role in maintaining fish quality and ensuring consumer safety.
This collaborative community service initiative between FPK UNAIR and Universiti Malaysia Sabah reflects a strong commitment to regional partnership and sustainable coastal community development. By integrating academic expertise with local wisdom, the program successfully strengthened the fishermen’s capacity to implement better hygiene practices and responsible fish processing methods. It also exemplified the spirit of cross-border collaboration in achieving common goals of improving welfare and supporting sustainable fisheries management in Southeast Asia.
Writer: Lailatul Lutfiyah
