A total of 80 students of the fisheries resource utilization study program participated in integrated field practice in Mate’ne Village, Barru Regency. The activity, which took place from 10 to 12 May 2024, involved active participation from students and lecturers of the study program, as well as the local community. The field practice participants had the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in real situations, conduct case studies, and interact directly with fishermen and other relevant stakeholders. In the integrated field practice activities in Mate’ne Village, Barru Regency, students of the fisheries resource utilization study program had the opportunity to apply knowledge from their courses. Some of these include fishing technology, eco-friendly fishing gear, and coastal fishing area. On this occasion, students participated in a one-day trip fishing on a lift net with local fishermen, so they could directly observe how fishermen operate the fishing gear and observe the various technologies used by fishermen. In addition, students also conducted a survey related to eco-friendly fishing gear using survey and interview methods. Through direct observation and interaction with local fishermen, students can deepen their understanding of various effective yet environmentally friendly fishing techniques. In addition, they were also able to learn in detail about shallow-sea fishing grounds, which are an important resource for economic and environmental sustainability in the region.
Not only students, but also all lecturers from the fisheries resource utilization study program actively participated in community service in Mate’ne Village. The lecturers organized community service activities that aimed to make a direct contribution to the local community by delivering several counseling materials, such as mapping the fishing areas of lift net presented by Prof. Mukti Zainuddin, S.Pi, M.Sc., Ph.D., eco-friendly sea lobster fishing presented by Prof. Dr. Ir. Musbir, M.Sc., and the operation of pyramid traps by Dr. Ir. Andi Assir Marimba, M.Sc.. Through counseling related to sustainable fishing, the lecturers sought to provide a broader understanding to the community about the importance of maintaining the sustainability of fisheries resources in their area.
Through a combination of integrated field practice and community service, the fisheries resource utilization study program not only makes Mate’ne Village a practical laboratory for students, but also a platform to make a positive contribution to the local community. It is hoped that through this collaborative effort, a synergy will be created between higher education and the local community as an effort to sustain the local fisheries.