Undana, ATSEA partner to study dugongs to support blue economy

Kupang (ANTARA) - Nusa Cendana University (Undana), in collaboration with the Interim Regional Secretariat of the Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action (ATSEA), is researching dugong and seagrass ecosystem conservation in Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

The research is conducted to support the development of a blue economy and sustainable marine resource management in the province.

"The collaboration is designed to facilitate students' direct involvement in research, while also strengthening the scientific database that supports sustainable marine resource management," said Undana Rector, Jefri S. Bale in Kupang on Friday.

Regarding the collaboration, Undana and ATSEA have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and a memorandum of agreement (MoA) in Kupang.

Bale stated that the collaboration is a strategic step to strengthen the implementation of education, research, and community service, particularly in the marine and fisheries sector.

According to him, the involvement of lecturers and students from the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Marine Affairs, and Fisheries (FPKP) in joint research will increase human resource capacity and generate scientific data that can be used in coastal resource management.

Interim Executive Director of the ATSEA Regional Secretariat, Handoko Adi Susanto, stated that Undana was chosen as a partner due to its geographical proximity to the research site on Rote Island and the support of academic staff competent in the marine sector.

"The collaboration is designed to facilitate students' direct involvement in comprehensive research. In the future, we also plan to hold an international symposium with FPKP Undana in Kupang," he said.

Agnette Tjendanawangi, Dean of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Marine Science, and Fisheries at Undana University, stated that the research results are expected to provide a scientific basis for formulating policies for sustainable coastal area management.

According to her, healthy seagrass meadows serve as habitats for various economically valuable marine biota, making their conservation not only crucial for the environment but also for supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities.

ATSEA is a collaborative forum between Indonesia, Australia, and Papua New Guinea, coordinated by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF).

The programs implemented focus on marine ecosystem protection, pollution management, strengthening small-scale fishers, and marine species conservation.

As part of the collaboration, the research team will conduct studies on the condition of the dugong population and the health of seagrass beds in the waters of Rote Ndao.

The two ecosystem components are considered to play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the coastal environment while supporting the sustainability of the fisheries and marine tourism sectors.

The collaboration is also expected to strengthen the province's position as a blue economy development region through the utilization of marine resources that prioritize conservation aspects, improve the quality of human resources, and strengthen research collaboration at the regional level.

The results of the joint research will serve as a scientific reference for ecosystem management in the Arafura Sea and Timor Sea regions, involving Indonesia, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. This will support the sustainability of marine resources while providing economic benefits to coastal communities.

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Translator: Kornelis Kaha, Cindy Frishanti Octavia

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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