How well do we know our sea? Just a little bit? Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta facilitated students in learning spaces to recognize the potencies and challenges of Indonesia's maritime. Nineteen students led by the Yogyakarta coordinator, Trustha Rembaka, S.Th and accompanied by Ariani Narwastujati, S.Pd., S.S., M.Pd., the Executive Director of Stube HEMAT, conducted a field visit at Sadeng Beach Fishing Port (PPP), Gunungkidul (4 /2/2023).

The students visited the port in Songbanyu village, Girisubo, Gunungkidul, Special Region of Yogyakarta. They met Agus Santosa, S.Pi., Head of the Port Operations and Management Section, and Sarina S.P., M.M., Head of the Business Administration and Services Section. As a foreword, Ariani introduced Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta and the Maritime Economy program, especially the dynamics of marine fisheries and fishermen's lives through exposure or study visits. She challenged each participant to mention the name of sea fish to find out how well they know the world of the sea. It turned out that some of the participants mentioned the same fish name over and over again and even mentioned freshwater fish.

 

Agus Santosa explained that the port of Sadeng was founded in 1990 between the villages of Songbanyu and Pucung, Girisubo, Gunungkidul, Special Region of Yogyakarta, about 85 km southeast of Yogyakarta city. He has been working as a harbormaster since 2018 and facilitated more than 200 fishermen. He said that initially, the fishermen did not know the importance of having maritime documents, but now they are aware of the importance of these documents more and more fishermen have private boats. The catch in 2022 reached 3.318,4 tons with a fish production value of IDR 88,17 billion, which is mostly tuna, mackerel tuna, and skipjack. However, weather conditions and the fish season may affect the catch.

Then, the students observed the port and identified the boat types used by fishermen. There are three types of boats, first, Outboard Motor Boats/PMT or Jukung with the characteristic of having wings on each side of the boat. Jukung is a small boat carrying 1-2 people to go out to sea in one day. Second, a lifeboat with five crew members with a minimum distance of 3 miles from the coast usually goes to sea for 5-7 days. Third, Motorboats or Slerek with 25-33 crew members with a minimum distance of 12 miles from the coast and capable of going to sea for up to fourteen days. In addition to fishing boats, there are ships owned by the Water Police with a total of 25 personnel and a Search and Rescue (SAR) boat for security patrols and to respond to security violations or sea accidents. Apart from getting to know boats, the students observed breakwater installations, lighthouses, and the BMKG weather installation to provide weather information to fishermen before fishing.

The students' experiences were more complete when they got into the lifeboat and had a dialogue with several fishermen to learn more about the fishermen’s life in Sadeng. The first group had a dialogue with Cimeng, the captain of the Sekoci boat who explained how to steer it, ‘read’ ocean currents, and be able to repair a boat's engine. Group two interacted with Mujito, a crew member about the ups and downs of going to sea, the results of which depended heavily on weather conditions and fishing seasons. Group three exchanged ideas with Ristini about how to process fish into derivative products according to the type of fish, such as fish floss, meatballs, and other products. They are residents who live by and from the sea. Some students admitted that it was their first time jumping into a boat and felt nauseous when the boat was leaned by the waves. However, they showed enthusiasm for direct dialogue with them on board.

One of the students, Andre, a student from Lubuk Linggau, South Sumatra, said, "I found new things related to fishermen, such as the way fishermen sail at sea, the budget needed before going to sea, the types of vessels and equipment for fishing and the fish distribution to consumers. I realize that fishing is not an easy job because you have to risk your life. I respect fishermen for their enthusiasm, hard work, and resilience to face challenges.”

The exposure becomes new knowledge and an interesting experience for students in ‘diving’ into marine knowledge and the problems faced by fishermen. The sea with all its potency is the nation's future. Are young people ready as the next generation to manage it responsibly and maintain its sustainability? ***