01 August 2023
Anonymous Writer
The oil spill incident involving asphalt that occurred on February 11, 2023, along the coastline of Faekhuna’a Village, Afulu District, was caused by a substandard vessel condition, leading to a leak in the hull of MT Aashi, which collided with a coral reef. The spill polluted the entire coastal waters of North Nias within a 50-kilometer radius, affecting 25 villages and covering 18 kilometers of coral reef with asphalt.
The fishing community in Faekhuna’a Village was one of the most affected. According to the 2021 statistical data of North Nias Regency, 260 people work as fishermen, making it the primary profession in the area. Members of the Faekhuna’a Village Fishermen's Group (KUB) reported that the spill made it difficult for them to fish. Fishing grounds are now farther away, increasing operational costs and reducing daily catches. Previously, fishermen could catch 20-30 kg per day, but this has dropped significantly due to the loss of coral reef ecosystems in several areas along the coastline. Long-term damage to the coral reefs is feared to impact the local economy of the coastal communities in Faekhuna’a Village.
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The Student Organization Capacity Strengthening Program (PPK ORMAWA) of the Association of Aquatic Resource Management Students (IMASPERA), led by Hilal Idama Dalimunthe, addressed the issue by emphasizing the importance of environmental conservation through the "One Home, One Coral Transplant" initiative. The approach involved education using demonstrations and counseling sessions with the Faekhuna’a Village Fishermen's Group (KUB). The program consisted of five stages: activity preparation, demonstration, socialization, deployment of coral transplant racks, and the formation of a management team.
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Materials were presented by ORMAWA member Hasbi Husaini, who explained the significance of coral reef ecosystems for coastal communities. Coral reefs function physically as natural coastal protection from waves, ecologically as spawning grounds, nursery grounds, and feeding grounds, and economically as areas for fish production and tourism, which serve as income sources for coastal communities.
The coral transplant rack demonstration was conducted with the Faekhuna’a Village Fishermen's Group (KUB), guided by PPK ORMAWA IMASPERA students. The event concluded with the handover of coral transplant racks to the group and the formation of a management team. The entire activity was supervised by faculty advisor Vindy Rilani Manurung, S.Pi., M.P., and BASARNAS of North Nias Regency. The event was also attended by the Faekhuna’a Village Secretary, village head, local officials, the KUB chairman, 20 fishermen from Faekhuna’a Village, 5 students from the Off-Campus Study Program (PSDKU) in North Nias Regency, 15 PPK ORMAWA IMASPERA students, and 1 volunteer student from IMASPERA.
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The week-long program, held from July 22 to 28, was a success. The Faekhuna’a Village Fishermen's Group was highly enthusiastic throughout the activities. It is hoped that the newly formed management team will continue this initiative to preserve coral reef ecosystems and improve the economy of Faekhuna’a Village.
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