The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK) Universitas Airlangga reaffirmed its commitment to internationalized learning by organizing a guest lecture entitled Tropical Coastal Ecosystems: Linking Ecology, Conservation, and Sustainable Development. Held virtually on Wednesday (June 10, 2026), the event featured Dr. Chee Su Yin from the School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The guest lecture was attended by Aquaculture students from the Class of 2023 and accompanied by Lailatul Lutfiyah, S.Pi., M.Si., a lecturer from the Aquaculture Study Program.
As part of FPK UNAIR’s ongoing effort to strengthen global academic engagement, the guest lecture provided students with direct exposure to contemporary issues in marine and coastal science from an internationally recognized scholar. Through collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia, participants gained valuable insights into tropical aquatic ecology, marine biodiversity, coastal ecosystem conservation, and ecosystem-based coastal resource management. Dr. Chee’s research focuses extensively on marine community dynamics, the ecological connectivity between mangroves, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs, as well as the impacts of environmental change on coastal ecosystem structure and function.
During her presentation, Dr. Chee explained that tropical coastal ecosystems are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth. These ecosystems serve as critical habitats for diverse marine organisms, protect shorelines from erosion, store significant amounts of carbon, and support the livelihoods of communities that depend on coastal resources. She emphasized that mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and other coastal habitats function as interconnected ecological systems, meaning that damage to one component can disrupt the balance of the entire ecosystem. “Healthy coastal ecosystems are interconnected systems. Protecting mangroves, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs means protecting biodiversity, coastal communities, and the ecosystem services that support sustainable development,” explained Dr. Chee Su Yin.
Beyond highlighting the ecological importance of coastal ecosystems, Dr. Chee also discussed the major challenges facing tropical coastal regions today. Pollution, habitat degradation, ocean acidification, and climate change continue to threaten ecosystem health and resilience. Unsustainable human activities that exceed environmental carrying capacities further accelerate habitat loss, resulting in negative consequences for biodiversity and the ecosystem services that support local communities. These challenges underscore the urgent need for integrated and science-based approaches to coastal resource management.
One particularly striking point presented during the lecture was the significant contribution of land-based activities to marine pollution. Dr. Chee noted that approximately 80 percent of marine debris originates from land and is transported to coastal waters through rivers and drainage systems. This finding highlights the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining ocean health, beginning with effective waste management, environmentally responsible practices on land, and stronger environmental policies. Through the lecture, students gained a broader understanding of how human activities on land and at sea are closely linked within coastal ecosystems and why sustainable management requires action across multiple sectors.
As a solution to these growing environmental challenges, Dr. Chee introduced the concept of Nature-based Solutions (NbS), an approach that utilizes the natural functions of ecosystems to address environmental problems while delivering social and economic benefits. Examples include the restoration of mangroves, seagrass meadows, coral reefs, coastal wetlands, and oyster reefs. These initiatives contribute not only to biodiversity conservation but also to improved water quality, shoreline protection, carbon sequestration, habitat provision, and support for sustainable fisheries and tourism. According to Dr. Chee, “Nature-based Solutions are not only about restoring ecosystems. They are long-term investments that strengthen climate resilience, improve biodiversity conservation, and provide benefits for society and future generations.”
Despite their potential, Nature-based Solutions still face several implementation barriers, including limited community participation, inadequate funding, insufficient technical capacity, and weak stakeholder coordination. Therefore, Dr. Chee stressed that successful coastal conservation requires strong collaboration among academics, governments, local communities, private sectors, and development partners. Such partnerships are essential to ensure that environmental management strategies are implemented effectively and sustainably while balancing ecological, social, and economic priorities.
The guest lecture was designed to enhance students’ understanding of the interconnections between ecology, conservation, and sustainable development within tropical coastal ecosystems. In addition to broadening academic perspectives, the activity encouraged students to explore future research opportunities and innovations related to coastal ecology, marine conservation, and science-based aquatic resource management. Exposure to international expertise also provided participants with a deeper appreciation of global environmental challenges and the importance of interdisciplinary solutions in addressing them.
The organization of this international guest lecture reflects the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Universitas Airlangga’s commitment to strengthening educational quality through collaboration with global academic partners. The partnership with Universiti Sains Malaysia offers students valuable opportunities to gain international perspectives while expanding academic networks beyond national boundaries. Furthermore, the event supports the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the provision of high-quality learning experiences involving international experts, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through the strengthening of global academic partnerships that advance education, research, and scientific development.
