Partnership Discussion on Pieh Water Tourism Park (TWP) Conservation: FPIK-UBH and LKKPN Pekanbaru Strengthen Collaboration

On December 6, 2024, the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science of Bung Hatta University (FPIK-UBH) and the National Water Conservation Area Agency (LKKPN) Pekanbaru (under the Directorate General of Marine and Spatial Management, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia) held a discussion at UBH Campus 1 regarding the Partnership for the Pieh Island and Surrounding Waters Conservation Area.

The Dean of FPIK-UBH, Prof. Dr. Ir. Yusra, M.Si, stated that this meeting was an effort to strengthen the long-standing cooperation between the two parties. This collaboration has been implemented through various academic activities, such as research, public lectures, and student internships.

Furthermore, he explained that the existence of the conservation area significantly supports FPIK's Tri Dharma of Higher Education (three pillars of higher education), particularly for research (involving lecturers in the fields of Ecology, conservation, fishing gear, and socio-economics) and community service (conducted in LKKPN's fostered areas with the involvement of Pertamina's CSR program). The conservation area is also used as a research site for FPIK UBH S1 and S2 students. Yusra hopes that this routine discussion will further strengthen collaboration and gather input for the future management of the conservation area.

The Head of LKKPN Pekanbaru, Rahmat Irfansyah, explained that the Pieh Island and Surrounding Waters National Water Conservation Area covers an area of 39,900 hectares, encompassing five small islands off the coast of West Sumatra. This area is rich in marine biodiversity, such as coral reefs and reef fish, and serves as an important habitat for turtles and cetaceans (marine mammals).

According to Rahmat, the management of this conservation area requires a commitment from various stakeholders, not only central and local governments but also all related parties, including the surrounding community, academics (students, pupils, lecturers), NGOs, and nature-loving volunteers.

The discussion was held in a warm atmosphere and was attended by representatives from the West Sumatra Provincial Marine and Fisheries Agency, PT Pertamina Patra Niaga AFT Minangkabau, Minang Bahari Foundation, Kompak Raja Samudera, as well as FPIK-UBH lecturers and students.

News Link : https://fpik.bunghatta.ac.id/berita/fpik-ubh-dan-lkkpn-pekanbaru-diskusikan-kemitraan-konservasi-twp-pieh/

MoU Link : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aH3zBXO_OQaZOlddzysmrbRImZ1QkPO1/view?usp=sharing