The waters of South Buko District, Banggai Islands Regency, became the site of a collaborative marine expedition between the UGM Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) team, Blue Alliance Indonesia, and the local community.
The activity aimed to identify the potential of marine tourism while educating residents on the importance of marine conservation and the dangers of destructive fishing practices.
This initiative forms part of broader efforts to preserve ecosystems and promote sustainable coastal economic development, demonstrating how student involvement can make a tangible impact on local environmental issues.
During the expedition, the team conducted mapping and surveys across 33 island clusters, known locally as the “Prayer Bead Islands” due to their resemblance to prayer beads.
Each island was documented to record its tourism potential, from snorkeling and diving locations to opportunities for developing ecotourism based on marine ecosystem education.
The mapping results are expected to serve as a foundation for developing environmentally friendly and sustainable tourism.
Through this process, students also provided program recommendations relevant to the needs of coastal communities.
However, the team also discovered coral reef damage in several locations caused by destructive fishing practices such as fish bombing.
Although the frequency of these practices has declined in recent years, their impacts remain visible.
A fisherman from Landonan Bebeau Village, Hariyanto, shared how community awareness has shifted.
His story reflects a change in mindset towards more sustainable fishing practices.
“In the past, many fishermen used bombs because the results were instant. However, we are now more aware of the damage. Many have switched to safer fishing methods,” he said.
Efforts to prevent destructive fishing continue to be carried out by Blue Alliance Indonesia, in collaboration with local residents and village authorities, through sea patrols, awareness campaigns, and the strengthening of local conservation groups.
Challenges persist, ranging from uneven community engagement to inadequate law enforcement.
Therefore, synergy with local government, community leaders, and business actors is considered vital to building collective awareness and strengthening marine protection.
With multi-stakeholder involvement, a stronger and more consistent marine protection system can be developed.
Alongside patrols, the expedition also featured training and outreach programs for residents on ecotourism, marine health, and economic opportunities from responsible resource management.
The initiative also served as a platform for knowledge exchange among students, NGOs, and local communities in building a sustainable coastal village concept.
The student coordinator of the KKN-PPM UGM Banggai Islands program, Bernadio Axel Herdin Ernesto, emphasized the importance of sustainable management.
“We hope existing potentials can be utilized sustainably without causing damage. This also opens opportunities for villages in South Buko to gain wider recognition, both for their natural beauty and culture,” he said.
The collaboration between students, NGOs, and local communities during this expedition demonstrates that marine conservation can be effectively integrated with development.
Through the blue economy approach, South Buko has the potential to become a model coastal area that not only preserves ecosystems but also improves community welfare.
This activity also highlights the active role of UGM students in promoting sustainable solutions for coastal communities.
If managed consistently, the program could serve as a reference for other regions in developing conservation-based tourism.
Reporter: KKN-PPM UGM Banggai Islands
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna