Bangkalan – The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine (FPK) Universitas Airlangga once again demonstrated its commitment to experience-based learning through a field practicum conducted by students of the Aquaculture Study Program, Marine Science and Technology specialization. On 25 May 2026, a total of 52 fourth-semester students participated in a field practicum at the Labuhan Mangrove Jung Koneng ecotourism area in Bangkalan Regency, Madura. The activity was directly supervised by Dr. Eng. Sapto Andriyono, S.Pi., M.T., Dr. Ayu Lana Nafisyah, S.Pi., M.Sc., Ph.D., and Nina Nurmalia Dewi, S.Pi., M.Si. Through this program, students were encouraged to deepen their understanding of marine science by directly engaging with the coastal ecosystem and applying theoretical concepts in real environmental conditions.
This field practicum served as an implementation of practice-based learning designed to strengthen students’ comprehension of oceanography and tropical marine ecology, subjects previously studied in the classroom. By conducting direct observations in the field, students were not only able to understand scientific theories conceptually, but also gain practical insights into the dynamic interactions occurring within tropical coastal ecosystems. The mangrove area in Bangkalan was selected as a learning site because of its ecological significance and complex environmental interactions between marine biota and coastal environmental factors.
During the activity, students examined various aspects of oceanography, including physical oceanography, chemical oceanography, geological oceanography, and tropical marine ecology. Observations were carried out in the mangrove ecosystem, which represents a tropical coastal environment with highly dynamic ecological interactions. Students conducted measurements of several oceanographic parameters, including pH, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), water transparency, nutrient concentrations, current velocity, wave period, and tidal height. Furthermore, they analyzed the relationships between oceanographic variables and the ecological conditions of the mangrove ecosystem in the study area.
The data collected during the practicum will be scientifically analyzed and compiled into field reports as part of the academic learning process. In the 14th week of the semester, students are scheduled to present their findings before the course lecturers to further strengthen their abilities in critical thinking, scientific data analysis, and systematic presentation of research outcomes. This approach reflects FPK UNAIR’s effort to integrate theoretical understanding with practical scientific investigation, allowing students to develop analytical skills relevant to marine and fisheries sciences.
Beyond academic objectives, the field practicum also became a collaborative learning experience that exposed students to real-world coastal ecosystem management challenges. Through direct interaction with the mangrove environment, students gained a deeper appreciation of the importance of maintaining the balance of marine and coastal ecosystems as strategic national resources. The activity encouraged students to recognize that sustainable marine resource management requires both scientific understanding and environmental responsibility.
In addition to strengthening students’ academic competencies, the practicum also aligned with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The activity supported SDG 4: Quality Education by promoting practice-based learning and enhancing students’ capacity in marine science and fisheries studies. Furthermore, the practicum contributed to SDG 14: Life Below Water because students directly studied coastal ecosystem conditions and learned about sustainable marine resource management. The study of coastal environmental dynamics was also relevant to SDG 13: Climate Action, considering the critical role of mangrove ecosystems in mitigating climate change through blue carbon sequestration.
Through this activity, FPK UNAIR reaffirmed its commitment to producing graduates who are not only academically competent but also environmentally aware and actively engaged in supporting the sustainability of Indonesia’s coastal ecosystems. The field practicum demonstrated how experiential learning can build scientific understanding while simultaneously fostering environmental awareness among future marine and fisheries professionals.
However, the field practicum did not stop at scientific observation alone. Beyond the academic learning process, students also encountered another pressing reality regarding waste pollution threatening the mangrove ecosystem. This awareness later inspired collective environmental action among all practicum participants as a form of direct contribution to preserving the coastal environment.
Writer: FBM
Editor: TPA
