UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) students have made another innovation for the welfare of society. This time, an innovation of biogas fuel based on fishery waste called Fisholar was successfully initiated by five UNAIR students: Sulthan Fathi Nur Alauddin, Yolandha Sephiani Nurhafifah, Fina Safitri, Sayyidati Tazkiya A, and Era S. Aisya.
Inspired by diesel fuel scarcity
The scarcity of diesel fuel is one of the problems affecting productivity, especially for people with the main livelihood as traditional fishermen. It is known well that the use of diesel fuel for engines, lighting, and storage costs up to 70 percent of fishermen’s operational costs.
The rising price of diesel fuel will directly impact traditional fishermen. “Based on the data, subsidized fuel for small fishermen cannot reach most areas. Therefore, based on Presidential Decree number 112 of 2022, we proposed the creation of biogas innovation from fishery waste,” said Sulthan, the team leader.
Impact on environment and economy
The innovation created under the guidance of Dwi Ratri Mitha I ST MT, UNAIR Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) lecturer, is expected to significantly impact the environment and the economic sector.
“Fisholar is expected to help the economy of fisheries sector actors by selling biogas and the welfare of fishermen,” he said.
Using fishery waste: bones, skin, fins, heads, scales, viscera, and liquid as raw material for biogas can reduce the effects of environmental pollution. In addition, the use of biogas fuel which is more environmentally friendly than diesel fuel can have a better impact on the environment.
Old innovation has not been used massively
Sulthan explained that biogas fuel from fishery waste was only used on a domestic scale and had not been used massively. Seeing the need for fishing boats, using this fuel can be very beneficial if it can be realized in the near future.
This innovation won a silver medal at the International Agriculture Technology Essay Competition, held by the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Brawijaya, on Sunday, January 8, 2023. (*)
Author: Stefanny Elly
Editor : Binti Q. Masruroh
