Chelsea Hani Marcelia Sundawa, a student of the Undergraduate Program in Fisheries Product Technology at the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK), Universitas Airlangga, has brought pride to the institution by receiving an award at the EAST JAVA MARITIME AWARDS 2026. The award ceremony, held on Tuesday (20/05/2026) at JTV Studio Surabaya, recognized Chelsea in the NGO/Individual Category for Maritime Sector Development Concern for her contribution as a “Young Pioneer of Fisheries Product Innovation” through an innovation entitled Bioflocsmart. This achievement reflects the growing role of young innovators in supporting the development of a sustainable and technology-driven maritime sector in East Java.
EAST JAVA MARITIME AWARDS 2026 Encourages Maritime Collaboration
EAST JAVA MARITIME AWARDS 2026 was part of the broader Maritim Fest 2026, an event aimed at strengthening East Java’s identity as one of Indonesia’s major maritime hubs. The event gathered various maritime stakeholders, including representatives from shipping industries, port authorities, logistics sectors, fisheries industries, shipbuilding companies, maritime education institutions, and coastal communities. Beyond serving as an appreciation platform, the event also became a collaborative forum connecting government institutions, academics, business actors, and maritime communities to encourage the development of a modern, safe, and sustainable blue economy. Through this event, innovation and cross-sector collaboration were highlighted as important pillars in strengthening Indonesia’s maritime future.
Bioflocsmart Introduced as a Sustainable Fisheries Solution
Chelsea’s Bioflocsmart innovation was developed as a solution to transform traditional fishermen into aquaculture practitioners who are more resilient to seasonal fishing fluctuations in the Bio Society 5.0 era. According to Chelsea, the innovation addresses the challenges of overfishing while simultaneously strengthening the economic resilience of coastal communities through biofloc-based aquaculture technology. The system is considered capable of improving fisheries sustainability by reducing pressure on marine ecosystems and increasing aquaculture productivity through adaptive and modern cultivation methods. By integrating technology into fisheries practices, Bioflocsmart offers a practical approach for coastal communities to achieve more sustainable and stable livelihoods in the fisheries sector.
The innovation is also highly relevant to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) through efforts to preserve marine resources and reduce ecological pressure caused by overfishing. In addition, the innovation supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by encouraging collaboration among academics, communities, and maritime stakeholders in developing innovative solutions for sustainable fisheries development. Through initiatives such as Bioflocsmart, young researchers and students are expected to contribute not only to scientific advancement but also to real-world solutions that positively impact society and the environment.
National Achievements Strengthen FPK UNAIR Student Contributions
Before receiving recognition at the EAST JAVA MARITIME AWARDS 2026, Chelsea had actively participated in various national scientific and innovation competitions. Among her achievements are 1st Place Favorite Poster at Hasanuddin Research Festival (HARFEST) 2025, 1st Place Best Presentation at Hasanuddin Research Festival (HARFEST) 2025, 1st Runner-Up at Gravity Festival 3.0 organized by the Reasoning and Creativity Student Organization of Universitas Pembangunan Veteran Jawa Timur, and 3rd Place at the Sriwijaya Innovation National Essay and Poster Award (SINEPA) 2026. These accomplishments further strengthen the contribution of FPK Universitas Airlangga students in developing research-based innovations that create meaningful impacts on society, the fisheries sector, and environmental sustainability.
Writer: Alejandro Ahmad Zuhayr
Editor: TPA
