Sumenep - Tuesday, June 25, 2024, the East Java Maritime and Fisheries Office, through the Situbondo Branch Office as the organizer, in collaboration with the Master of Natural Resource Management (PSDA) program from the Faculty of Agriculture at Universitas Trunojoyo Madura and the Maritime and Fisheries Office of Sumenep Regency, conducted a coastal and small island disaster mitigation training event in Sumenep Regency.

This activity aims to enhance the awareness of coastal communities regarding potential disasters that can occur at any time. Seasonal changes are closely associated with unpredictable weather conditions, which can sometimes lead to various threats of disasters for coastal communities and small islands. Therefore, disaster mitigation efforts for coastal areas and small islands must be carried out routinely, both structurally and non-structurally.

Participating in this activity are the Romben Guna Village Government, Fishermen Groups, Community Groups, Community Surveillance Groups, and Fisheries Extension Officers of Sumenep Regency. Puji Rahmawati, S.Pi., a staff member of the Situbondo Branch Office, stated that this coaching activity is part of non-structural mitigation, which aims to provide the community with an understanding of vigilance towards potential risks and reducing risks during coastal disasters in Sumenep.

Dr. Apri Arisandi, a lecturer in the Master's Program in Natural Resource Management (PSDA) at the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Trunojoyo Madura, stated in his presentation that structural mitigation against coastal disasters is not limited to constructing sea walls, wave breakers, and evacuating affected communities. "In line with its primary goal of reducing costs, eliminating casualties and losses, and ensuring long-term effectiveness, the emphasis of mitigation should be placed on the pre-disaster phase, particularly through coastal vegetation planting activities," said Arisandi.

Coastal vegetation is not limited to mangroves; it also includes coconut trees, pandanus, and sea pine. The village of Romben Guna and its surroundings, with their sandy beach typology, are very suitable for sea pine vegetation. According to Dr. Agr. Eko Setiawan, a lecturer in the Master's Program in Natural Resource Management (PSDA) at the Faculty of Agriculture, UniversitasTrunojoyo Madura, sea pine has the potential for land rehabilitation and soil conservation in coastal areas and small islands with sandy beach typology.

Eko explained, "Having a taproot system, the planting of sea pine along the coast can serve as a protector against high waves and coastal erosion. It also functions to reduce and alter wind speed, which can decrease the wind velocity towards fishermen's settlements.'"

At the end of the event, Yiyik Windah Yulianti, M.Si, Head of the Marine Conservation Section at the Situbondo Branch Office, stated that the coastal and small island disaster mitigation training activities are a continuation of the socialization conducted a year earlier.

"The coaching activities aim to change the mindset of coastal communities regarding the management of coastal resources, from exploitation to sustainable productive conservation. Therefore, collaboration with the Master of Natural Resource Management (PSDA) program, the only master's program at Universitas Trunojoyo Madura with a conservation vision, is highly needed," said Wiwik.

Finally, all the activities, including the presentation of materials and discussions, generally proceeded well and as expected.