Unhas equips fishermen with adaptation strategies to face environmental changes

The Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries at Hasanuddin University, together with Bank Indonesia, has initiated management and environmental change adaptation training for fishermen to promote sustainable fisheries and avoid losses. Muhammad Kurnia, a lecturer in the Fisheries Resource Utilisation programme at the university, stated that environmental change has become an unavoidable challenge for fisheries development. Strengthening the capacity of fishermen and fish farmers is a strategic step to enable coastal communities to anticipate various risks whilst maintaining the sustainability of their businesses amid increasingly dynamic environmental conditions. ‘Environmental change is no longer a future issue but a reality directly felt by fishermen and fish farmers. Therefore, the ability to adapt is a crucial factor in keeping the fisheries sector productive and sustainable,’ he said. He explained that each impact of environmental change has different characteristics and risk levels, requiring specific handling strategies. Fisheries management can no longer rely on a uniform approach but must be arranged adaptively based on the ecological, social, and economic conditions of each area. ‘Adaptation efforts aim not only to maintain fisheries production but also to preserve fish resources, improve fishermen’s welfare, and strengthen the food security of coastal communities,’ Kurnia added. Meanwhile, the Director of the Mattirotasi Mitra Lestari Foundation, Muh. Ikhsan Idrus, said the training provides a highly relevant learning space for coastal communities who are increasingly feeling the impact of environmental change on their economic activities. ‘We hope this educational activity can enhance the understanding of fishermen and fish farmers regarding various adaptation strategies that can be applied according to field conditions. Thus, business productivity can be maintained whilst ensuring the economic sustainability of coastal communities,’ he said.