Enggano Island, April 17, 2026

Lecturers from the Marine Science Program, Universitas Bengkulu (UNIB), carried out a community service activity in Enggano Island, North Bengkulu Regency, targeting students of SMP Negeri 18 North Bengkulu. The program was conducted under the title “Educational Outreach on the Introduction of Sea Cucumbers as an Economic Resource and Their Potential for Coastal Communities,” as an effort to improve the knowledge of coastal youth regarding the potential of marine resources that are economically valuable and environmentally sustainable.

This community service activity focused on introducing sea cucumbers, including the types commonly found in coastal waters, their morphological characteristics, and their natural habitats in seabed ecosystems such as seagrass beds, coral reefs, and shallow sandy waters. The lecturers also explained that sea cucumbers are high-value marine commodities with significant economic potential in both local and international markets due to their nutritional content and health benefits.

In addition to economic aspects, the program also emphasized the importance of conservation and sustainability of sea cucumber populations in nature. The lecturers provided insights into the threats of population decline caused by overexploitation, habitat degradation, and unsustainable harvesting practices. Therefore, students and the local community were educated on sustainable management efforts, including harvest limitations, habitat protection, and the importance of maintaining coastal ecosystem balance.

During the activity, the Marine Science lecturers from UNIB not only delivered material through PowerPoint presentations but also used flash card learning media to help students visually identify different types of sea cucumbers. This approach was designed to make the learning process more engaging and easier to understand for junior high school students.

The activity also involved Marine Science students from UNIB as part of field learning and academic competency development. The students actively participated in delivering materials, facilitating group discussions, and assisting participants throughout the program.

To measure participants’ understanding, the lecturer team conducted learning evaluations through pre-tests and post-tests. The results were used to assess the improvement in students’ knowledge before and after the outreach activity. Through this evaluation method, the program was not only educational but also measurable in terms of knowledge transfer effectiveness.

Through this activity, it is expected that students of SMP Negeri 18 North Bengkulu, particularly in Enggano Island, will gain a better understanding of the marine resources around them, especially sea cucumbers, and develop early awareness of the importance of conserving coastal ecosystems for the sustainable future of marine resources.