Maritime Fest 2026 served as a strategic collaborative platform to strengthen the maritime sector in East Java through promotion, education, and coastal community empowerment. Held at Kenjeran Park, Surabaya, the event was organized by JTV in collaboration with local governments, industry stakeholders, coastal communities, academics, and educational institutions in marine and fisheries fields. Maritime Fest 2026 was conducted to commemorate National Fishermen’s Day and National Shipping Day, while also becoming part of the 733rd Anniversary Celebration of Surabaya City. The momentum was utilized to reinforce the identity of Surabaya and East Java as maritime regions with significant potential in marine and fisheries sectors.
FPK UNAIR Booth Attracts Visitors’ Attention
As part of the event, the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK) of Universitas Airlangga actively participated by opening an exhibition booth showcasing various innovative products developed by students and alumni. FPK UNAIR’s participation reflected the faculty’s commitment to supporting the development of the maritime sector through innovation, entrepreneurship, and community-based fisheries advancement. Throughout the festival, the booth attracted numerous visitors interested in the diverse aquaculture and fisheries processing products displayed by students from the Aquaculture Study Program and Fisheries Product Technology Study Program.
Aquaculture and Fisheries Processed Products Exhibited
Students from the Aquaculture field showcased aquascape products and ornamental fish cultivated independently, including goldfish and guppy fish. These products highlighted the potential development of ornamental fish farming as a fisheries-based creative economic sector. Meanwhile, students from the Fisheries Product Technology Study Program presented a variety of processed fisheries products made from milkfish, gourami, tilapia, and catfish in ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat forms. The products included smoked fish, grilled fish, marinated fillets, crackers, and fish cakes. In addition, visitors showed strong enthusiasm for several innovative egg-based fisheries products introduced during the festival.
Strengthening Maritime Collaboration and Partnerships
Interestingly, the products exhibited were not only created by active students but also included business products developed by FPK UNAIR alumni and marketed during the event. The presence of alumni products demonstrated the sustainability of the entrepreneurial ecosystem fostered by FPK UNAIR while strengthening the relationship between academia and the maritime industry. This participation also served as a promotional platform for student and alumni innovations to wider communities and opened greater opportunities for collaboration in marine and fisheries sectors.
Maritime Fest 2026 also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through collaboration among universities, government institutions, industries, media, and society in supporting sustainable maritime development. Through active participation in this event, FPK UNAIR is expected to further strengthen its role as an educational institution that promotes innovation, human resource development, and strategic partnerships in marine and fisheries sectors.
Writer: Alejandro Ahmad Zuhayr
Editor: TPA
