UNAIR NEWS – The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK), Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), conducted a community service program in Punjul Village, Kediri, on Sunday (July 19, 2026). Led by Abdul Manan, S.Pi., M.Si., Ph.D., the community service team provided mentoring for the “Ikan Hias” Ornamental Fish Farmers Group (Pokdakan) in Punjul Village. The program aimed to enhance farmers’ knowledge and skills in implementing aquaculture technologies that are more efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable.
Collaboration with Kediri Fisheries Office
This community service initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Kediri City Fisheries Office. As part of the mentoring program, FPK UNAIR invited resource persons from the Fisheries Office to share their expertise. The collaboration was expected to integrate practical field experience with academic research, enabling solutions that are more applicable and accessible to local communities.
Sugiarto, a representative of the Kediri Fisheries Office, delivered a presentation entitled *Natural Herbal Remedies: Maintaining the Health of Ornamental Fish During Critical Seasons*. He explained the importance of using natural herbal ingredients as an alternative approach to maintaining the health of comet fish, improving their resistance to environmental changes, and reducing dependence on chemical substances in aquaculture.
He also introduced various locally available herbal ingredients and demonstrated their processing methods. Through this session, participants were expected to adopt simple, effective, cost-efficient, and environmentally friendly technologies. “Natural herbal ingredients have great potential as an alternative for maintaining fish health. They are readily available, environmentally friendly, and support sustainable ornamental fish farming,” he said.
Developing competitive comet fish farming businesses
Prof. Akhmad Taufiq Mukti, S.Pi., M.Si., a lecturer at FPK UNAIR, emphasized the importance of improving product quality. His presentation also highlighted the implementation of aquaculture innovations, business management strengthening, and effective marketing strategies.
The session provided participants with valuable insights, emphasizing that business success is determined not only by technical aquaculture skills but also by the ability to manage operations professionally, adapt to market developments, and utilize research-based innovations to increase product value.
“The sustainability of aquaculture businesses depends not only on the ability to produce high-quality fish but also on farmers’ capacity to innovate, manage their businesses effectively, and identify market opportunities,” he explained.
Beyond benefiting the local community, the program also contributed to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by improving aquaculture productivity, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by strengthening competitive comet fish farming businesses, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through the use of environmentally friendly natural bioactive compounds, and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by promoting sustainable aquaculture practices.
The collaboration between FPK UNAIR lecturers, the Kediri Fisheries Office, and the “Ikan Hias” Ornamental Fish Farmers Group in Punjul Village is expected to strengthen farmers’ capacity to develop productive, innovative, and sustainable ornamental fish businesses.
Author: Aditya Jayawardhana Ramadhani
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
