A collaboration among student marine enthusiasts has once again marked a significant milestone in marine environmental conservation efforts. Recently, the Diving Units of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and Universitas Diponegoro conducted an underwater exploration expedition at Gili and Noko Islands, Bawean, Gresik, East Java, from April 28 to May 4, 2025.
Bazgheir Syams, Head of the Expedition Delegation from UGM’s Diving Unit, stated that the underwater expedition aimed to collect data on marine ecosystems, carry out conservation activities, and gather socio-environmental information related to waste management.
The expedition team was divided into three groups to document coral reef conditions and identify fish populations using the Underwater Photo Transect (UPT) and Underwater Visual Census (UVC) methods.
Data collection was carried out at four coastal points around the north, south, east, and west of Gili Island, each at two different depths: five meters and ten meters.
“As a result, 760 fish were identified, with the dominant species being Pomacentrus, Abudefduf, and Chromis,” said Syams in a statement to reporters on Monday, May 5, 2025.
Coral transplantation was also conducted as part of the marine ecosystem restoration efforts.
Coral fragments were collected from the southwest side of Noko Island using the Corals of Opportunity method at a depth of five meters and were transplanted between Gili and Noko Islands using the spider web method at the same depth.
A total of 12 spider web units were installed, containing 151 coral fragments.
Hijau Daun, a local conservation organization in Bawean, will continue to monitor and care for the transplanted coral after the expedition.
“This collaboration is expected to strengthen local community involvement in sustainable conservation,” Syams added.
In addition to underwater activities, the expedition also addressed social aspects by interviewing residents of Gili Island regarding waste issues.
Community members revealed that waste problems stem from two primary sources: debris carried by ocean currents from nearby islands such as Bawean and Kalimantan, and local waste produced by residents, who lack a final disposal site due to limited land.
“They explained that their temporary solutions include burning and burying waste. However, these methods are insufficient, while student Community Service Program (KKN) efforts have only provided trash bins, which the community feels do not solve the root problem,” he said.
In response, the Dwipantara VII expedition team plans to present the results in a seminar to local government officials as a form of advocacy for more permanent solutions.
The team hopes the seminar will serve as a bridge between the community and policymakers.
“This collaboration is not just about diving; it’s about uniting the spirit of cross-club conservation to tackle real-world problems,” said Syams.
Furthermore, Syams emphasized that this expedition highlights the importance of instilling conservation values early on and underscores the role of students in environmental preservation efforts.
Beyond directly impacting the Gili-Noko ecosystem, the expedition is expected to inspire similar partnerships in the future.
“We invite all elements of Indonesian society to take part in preserving the nation’s natural treasures, because both the sea and land are not only our heritage, but also our future,” he concluded.
Author: Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographs: UGM Diving Unit