In 2024, Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) actively contributed to maintaining and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity through direct research and community engagement initiatives focused on aquatic environments under threat. Collaborating with the Loka Pengelolaan Sumber Daya Pesisir dan Laut (LSPSPL) and the West Java Department of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Unpad implemented programs such as marine debris monitoring, coral transplantation, and nilem fish (Osteochilus hasselti) restocking at Jatigede Reservoir. These initiatives combined scientific research with community participation to restore ecosystem balance, protect biodiversity, and strengthen sustainable livelihoods—demonstrating Unpad’s strong commitment to ecosystem conservation and the long-term health of Indonesia’s aquatic environments.
Unpad Research Team Collaborates with LSPSPL to Reduce Marine Waste and Promote Ocean Health
The Universitas Padjadjaran research team, in collaboration with the Loka Pengelolaan Sumber Daya Pesisir dan Laut (LSPSPL), carried out a series of initiatives supporting SDG 14: Life Below Water across coastal areas in Java and Lampung. Through the National Movement “Bulan Cinta Laut 2024”, the team conducted beach clean-ups, coral transplantation, and community education programs from April to July 2024. Led by Noir Primadona Purba, M.Si., from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, the Unpad team also monitored marine debris in Indramayu, focusing on waste accumulation in mangrove areas. The project actively involved local fishermen, who participated in removing marine waste while contributing to a circular economy model that rewards sustainable practices. The initiative also commemorated World Ocean Day and Coral Triangle Day through a coastal clean-up in Carita Beach, Banten, on June 8, 2024. This collaborative effort reflects Unpad’s ongoing commitment to marine conservation, public awareness, and reducing ocean pollution through science-based community engagement.
Unpad Students Support Freshwater Biodiversity through Nilem Fish Restocking at Jatigede Reservoir
The Student Fisheries Organization “Karamba” of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, conducted a fish restocking program at Jatigede Reservoir, Sumedang, on May 12, 2024. This initiative aimed to restore and maintain the population of native freshwater species, particularly the nilem fish (Osteochilus hasselti), which has faced a decline due to overfishing and environmental pressures. A total of 100,000 nilem fish fry were released in collaboration with the West Java Provincial Department of Marine Affairs and Fisheries and the Southern Regional Branch Office. The restocking process was carefully managed through acclimatization techniques to ensure fish survival and ecological balance.
This activity represents Unpad’s direct engagement in ecosystem restoration, supporting the sustainability of freshwater biodiversity and the livelihoods of local fishing communities in Sukamenak Village. Beyond ecological restoration, the initiative also fosters community-based conservation awareness, strengthening collaboration between academia, government, and local residents to protect aquatic ecosystems under threat.