The 2026 Join International Class (JIC) at Universitas Airlangga provided a cross-border learning experience that brought together academic perspectives from diverse backgrounds. On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine (FPK) UNAIR became one of the learning spaces in the program through a session entitled “Probiotic and Its Application in Aquaculture Industry,” delivered by Muhammad Browijoyo Santanumurti, S.Pi., M.Sc.
Indonesia’s Strategic Position in the Global Aquaculture Industry
During the session, Muhammad Browijoyo explained Indonesia’s strategic position in the global aquaculture industry. According to FAO 2024 data presented in the material, Indonesia ranks third globally in aquaculture production after China and India, and second in fish production after China. This potential highlights the significant contribution of aquaculture to food security and community livelihoods, in line with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
At the same time, the development of aquaculture faces various challenges, including diseases caused by microorganisms. Several bacterial groups, such as Vibrio, Aeromonas, and Streptococcus, can cause problems in aquaculture operations. This condition demonstrates the importance of effective aquatic animal health management to maintain the productivity and sustainability of the aquaculture industry.
Probiotics as an Approach to Aquaculture Health Management
As one potential approach, Muhammad Browijoyo introduced probiotics, which are live microorganisms that provide health benefits to their hosts when administered in adequate amounts. In the session, Lactobacillus and Bacillus were presented as examples of beneficial bacteria, in contrast to potentially harmful bacterial groups such as Vibrio, Streptococcus, and Aeromonas.
The potential of probiotics in aquaculture was illustrated through research on Litopenaeus vannamei, which demonstrated improved performance following probiotic administration for 56 days. Muhammad Browijoyo emphasized that probiotic development still requires further research to identify bacterial strains suitable for specific aquaculture species. This is particularly important because pathogenic bacteria can continue to evolve, creating a need for the continuous development and application of beneficial microorganisms.
Strengthening Sustainable Aquaculture Through Global Knowledge Exchange
The discussion on probiotics during JIC 2026 provided participants with insights into microorganism-based approaches to supporting aquaculture health and productivity. Strengthening more sustainable aquaculture practices is also closely connected to SDG 14 (Life Below Water). Meanwhile, the cross-border exchange of knowledge through JIC 2026 reinforces the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through the theme “Connecting Global Minds Through Collaborative Learning.”
Writer : Alejandro Ahmad Zuhayr
Editor : TPA
