Nusa Cendana University (Undana), in partnership with the Interim Regional Secretariat of the Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action (ATSEA), is conducting research on the conservation of dugongs and seagrass ecosystems in Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
The study aims to promote the advancement of a blue economy and the sustainable management of marine resources in the province.
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"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.
Concerning the partnership, Undana and ATSEA have executed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and a memorandum of agreement (MoA) in Kupang.
Bale mentioned that the partnership is a strategic move to enhance the execution of education, research, and community service, especially within the marine and fisheries field.
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He believes that the participation of lecturers and students from the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Marine Affairs, and Fisheries (FPKP) in collaborative research will enhance human resource capacity and produce scientific data applicable to coastal resource management.
Handoko Adi Susanto, Interim Executive Director of the ATSEA Regional Secretariat, mentioned that Undana was selected as a partner because of its close location to the research site on Rote Island and the availability of skilled academic staff in the marine field.
"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 says.
Agnette Tjendanawangi, the Dean of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Marine Science, and Fisheries at Undana University, remarked that the findings are anticipated to offer a scientific foundation for developing policies aimed at sustainable management of coastal areas.
She argues that healthy seagrass meadows are habitats for different economically important marine species, making their preservation essential for both environmental health and the livelihoods of coastal populations.
ATSEA is a joint platform involving Indonesia, Australia, and Papua New Guinea, managed by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF).
The initiatives launched concentrate on safeguarding marine ecosystems, managing pollution, empowering small-scale fishers, and conserving marine species.
In collaboration, the research team will carry out studies on the status of the dugong population and the condition of seagrass beds in the waters surrounding Rote Ndao.
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The two components of the ecosystem are seen as essential for preserving the equilibrium of the coastal environment and for fostering the sustainability of both fisheries and marine tourism industries.
The partnership is anticipated to enhance the province's standing as a region for blue economy development by leveraging marine resources with a focus on conservation, elevating human resource quality, and bolstering regional research collaborations.
The findings from the collaborative study will act as a scientific guide for managing ecosystems in the Arafura Sea and Timor Sea areas, which include Indonesia, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. This will aid in the sustainability of marine resources while offering economic advantages to coastal communities.