SURABAYA – The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences of Universitas Airlangga (FPK UNAIR) once again demonstrated its strong commitment to supporting Indonesia’s national food security agenda through active participation in the prestigious JTV Maritime Fest 2026. Through the Entrepreneur Community FPK initiative led by FPK UNAIR lecturer Daruti Dinda Nindarwi, S.Pi., M.P., dozens of students from various academic years within the Aquaculture and Fisheries Product Technology programs were directly involved in hands-on entrepreneurial practices to strengthen their practical business competencies in the fisheries sector.
The participation of FPK UNAIR in the maritime exhibition served as a platform to showcase a wide range of innovative fisheries products developed by students. Various superior products were introduced to the public, including ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat fish-based products, ornamental fish, and fresh fish harvested directly from aquaculture ponds managed within the university’s educational facilities. Through this exhibition, students were able to interact directly with consumers while promoting sustainable and nutritious fisheries products to the wider community.
Quality Assurance and Professional Mentoring
To ensure public health standards and product quality, the faculty implemented strict quality assurance measures for all products marketed during the event. Fresh fish cultivated and sold by students had undergone clinical testing and rigorous quality control processes at the Food Laboratory of FPK UNAIR. These procedures ensured that every product distributed to consumers met proper safety standards and maintained high nutritional value. This commitment reflects the faculty’s dedication not only to educational excellence but also to responsible community service through safe fisheries production.
Beyond functioning as a product exhibition, the activity was specifically designed as a practical field laboratory for students. Participants were not only trained in fish processing techniques and aquaculture practices, but were also encouraged to understand the complete business cycle comprehensively. Students learned marketing strategies, public sales techniques, consumer engagement, and real-time profit margin calculations. Through direct exposure to the business environment, students gained valuable experience that bridged academic learning with industry implementation.
Throughout the Maritime Fest, students also received intensive coaching and evaluations from FPK UNAIR alumni who have established successful careers in fisheries entrepreneurship and business development. One of the mentors involved was Muhammad Syarif Satriyo Samudra, an alumnus who currently works as a business practitioner and entrepreneur in the fisheries industry. The mentoring sessions provided students with practical insights into business management, innovation, and market adaptation, allowing them to better prepare for future professional challenges in the fisheries sector.
FPK UNAIR’s participation in this large-scale event represents a concrete manifestation of the synergy between higher education institutions and government programs aimed at strengthening food security. By providing high-quality and safe fisheries products, FPK UNAIR continues to support the acceleration of the National Fish Consumption Campaign (GEMARIKAN) to encourage healthier and more intelligent future generations. Furthermore, through practical field-based entrepreneurial activities such as this, FPK UNAIR students are expected to contribute positively to local economic development by utilizing entrepreneurial skills cultivated since their academic years, ultimately producing impactful graduates who are ready to contribute to society and the fisheries industry.
Writer: Daruti Dinda Nindarwi, S.Pi., M.P.
Editor: TPA
