SALMON, short for Social and Learning Activity with Morality for Nation, is one of the flagship community engagement programs organized by the Ministry of Social and Community Affairs (SOSMA) of the Student Executive Board, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR). This annual initiative focuses on fostering social responsibility and environmental awareness among students through direct community service. The 2025 SALMON program brought together 58 undergraduate students from the Aquaculture and Fishery Product Technology study programs. This year’s series of activities comprised three main agendas: community service in Penatarsewu Village, a coastal cleanup and mangrove planting campaign, and a coral reef conservation project in Banyuwangi.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Following the completion of the community engagement activities in Penatarsewu Village, SALMON continued with a series of coastal cleanup and mangrove planting programs aimed at preserving marine ecosystems. The coastal cleanup was carried out three times along Kenjeran Beach in Surabaya — on Saturday, August 9; Saturday, September 6; and Friday, September 19, 2025. During each cleanup, participants walked along the shoreline collecting various types of plastic waste such as bottles, snack wrappers, and disposable cups. The collected waste was then placed into large black trash bags, which were later gathered and disposed of properly at designated waste collection points. Each cleanup session successfully collected around three to five large bags of waste, reflecting the students’ commitment to reducing marine pollution and promoting environmental stewardship.
In addition to cleaning up the beach, the participants also conducted a mangrove planting activity at a fishpond area in Medokan Ayu, Rungkut District, Surabaya, on Sunday, September 21, 2025. The mangroves were planted along the pond’s edges, which bordered a fast-flowing river channel leading to the sea. The initiative emphasized the ecological and economic importance of mangroves — not only do they help improve water quality and absorb organic waste and chemical residues, but they also provide natural feed sources that enhance aquaculture productivity and sustainability. Moreover, mangroves act as natural barriers that protect coastal areas from erosion and contribute to maintaining biodiversity.
Through the SALMON 2025 program, students of FPK UNAIR demonstrated their dedication to environmental preservation and social empowerment. Their collaborative actions serve as a model for sustainable community-based environmental initiatives. The program also reflected UNAIR’s commitment to implementing the university’s Tri Dharma values — education, research, and community service — by integrating academic knowledge with social contribution. The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine continues to encourage its students to be agents of change who combine scientific understanding with moral responsibility in addressing environmental challenges. It is hoped that initiatives like SALMON will continue to inspire local communities and foster a collective sense of responsibility in maintaining ecological balance for future generations.
