14.3.4 Technologies and Practices to Minimise Damage to Aquatic Ecosystems
Universitas Islam Sultan Agung (UNISSULA) contributes to the development and application of technologies and practices that can support more sustainable marine, fisheries, and aquaculture activities.
In 2025, UNISSULA research addressed several technologies relevant to the protection of aquatic environments, including IoT-based water-quality monitoring for aquaculture, artificial-intelligence-based coral reef condition classification, ship fuel purification and emission reduction, and wave-energy conversion technologies.
These research activities demonstrate how technological innovation can support better environmental monitoring, reduce risks associated with marine and aquaculture activities, and promote more sustainable use of aquatic resources.
IoT-Based Water Quality Monitoring for Aquaculture
One of the strongest 2025 UNISSULA studies for aquatic ecosystem protection is:
“Sistem Pendeteksi Kualitas Air Berbasis IoT pada Budidaya Tambak di Desa Karangrejo, Kabupaten Demak.”
The research develops an Internet of Things-based system for monitoring water quality in aquaculture ponds.
The system monitors important parameters including:
- pH;
- temperature; and
- Total Dissolved Solids.
The purpose of the system is to provide real-time information about water conditions and help detect changes that may negatively affect fish or shrimp cultivation.
Public evidence:
https://repository.unissula.ac.id/39889
This type of monitoring technology is important for aquaculture because poor water quality can cause stress, disease, and mortality in aquatic organisms.
By providing early information on changing water conditions, the technology can support more responsible pond management and help prevent harmful conditions before they become severe.
Supporting Sustainable Aquaculture Practices
Aquaculture is highly dependent on the quality of the surrounding water environment.
When water parameters change beyond suitable conditions, the health of cultivated organisms can be affected and management practices may also create additional environmental pressure.
UNISSULA’s IoT-based monitoring research supports a preventive approach:
real-time water monitoring → early detection → faster management response → reduced risk to aquatic organisms and water quality.
This approach can help aquaculture operators manage ponds more carefully and reduce environmental risks associated with deteriorating water conditions.
Artificial Intelligence for Coral Reef Monitoring
UNISSULA also conducted 2025 research on the use of artificial intelligence for monitoring coral reef conditions.
One study is entitled:
“Klasifikasi Kondisi Terumbu Karang Menggunakan MobileNetV2 pada Android untuk Konservasi Ekosistem Laut.”
The research applies the MobileNetV2 deep-learning model through an Android-based system to assist in identifying coral reef conditions.
Public evidence:
https://repository.unissula.ac.id/45146
The technology supports marine ecosystem conservation by making coral-condition identification more accessible through mobile devices.
Monitoring coral condition is important because coral reefs are highly sensitive ecosystems that can be affected by environmental stress, pollution, climate change, and human activity.
Early identification of changes in coral condition can support conservation planning and environmental management.
Coral Reef Classification Using Deep Learning
A related UNISSULA study compares MobileNetV2 and DenseNet121 for coral reef image classification.
The system classifies coral conditions into categories such as bleached and unbleached, providing a technological approach for monitoring changes in reef condition.
Public evidence:
https://repository.unissula.ac.id/40136
The research demonstrates how artificial intelligence and image classification can support faster and more systematic observation of marine ecosystems.
Such technologies can complement conventional reef monitoring and provide useful information for conservation, fisheries management, tourism management, and marine environmental protection.
Technology for More Sustainable Maritime Operations
UNISSULA research in 2025 also examined technologies relevant to maritime transport.
A study entitled:
“Analisis Hasil Purifikasi Bahan Bakar terhadap Emisi Karbon Menggunakan Metode Fuzzy Sugeno”
analyses the effect of ship-fuel purification on emissions and supports the development of more environmentally responsible maritime operations.
Public evidence:
https://repository.unissula.ac.id/40141
Marine transportation depends heavily on fuel use, and inefficient or poor-quality fuel can contribute to increased emissions.
Fuel purification systems can improve fuel quality and support more efficient combustion, helping reduce environmental impacts associated with maritime operations.
This research therefore provides supporting evidence of UNISSULA’s work on technology related to sustainable marine-industry practices.
Wave Energy Conversion Technologies
UNISSULA researchers also contributed to research on renewable marine-energy technologies through the 2025 paper:
“Conversion Technologies for Sustainability in Tropical Regions: A Case Study of Southern Java, Indonesia.”
The study was published in IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, Volume 1543, as part of The 6th International Conference on Coastal and Delta Areas (ICCDA 2025).
Public evidence:
https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1543/1/012031
The study evaluates four Wave Energy Converter technologies:
- Point Absorbers;
- Oscillating Water Columns;
- Attenuators; and
- Overtopping Devices.
The research evaluates their technical performance and suitability for deployment along the southern coast of Java.
Technologies for Commercial-Scale Marine Energy
The study identifies Overtopping Devices and Attenuators as particularly promising technologies for larger-scale wave-energy generation.
The paper also notes that Attenuators are suitable for large commercial projects and industrial-scale energy development supported by deep-sea infrastructure.
This work contributes to understanding how marine renewable-energy technologies may support more sustainable energy systems.
The paper also recommends further environmental impact studies to ensure that future deployment achieves both social and ecological sustainability.
Linking Technology with Aquatic Ecosystem Protection
UNISSULA’s 2025 research addresses aquatic ecosystem protection through several complementary technological approaches.
The aquaculture water-quality system focuses on preventing harmful water conditions.
The coral reef monitoring research supports early detection and conservation of sensitive marine ecosystems.
The maritime fuel-purification study addresses environmental impacts from marine transport operations.
The wave-energy research explores renewable technologies for marine energy development, while also recognising the need for environmental-impact assessment.
Together, these studies demonstrate how technological research can support more sustainable practices across fisheries, aquaculture, marine conservation, maritime transport, and marine-energy development.
Evidence of Implementation
- UNISSULA conducted 2025 research on IoT-based water-quality monitoring for aquaculture ponds, supporting early detection of harmful water conditions.
- The technology monitors important water parameters such as pH, temperature, and Total Dissolved Solids, supporting more responsible aquaculture management.
- UNISSULA conducted 2025 research on Android-based coral reef condition classification using MobileNetV2, supporting marine ecosystem conservation.
- Related coral reef research applied deep-learning classification to distinguish bleached and unbleached coral conditions, providing a technological approach to marine ecosystem monitoring.
- UNISSULA research also examined ship-fuel purification and its relationship with emission reduction, supporting environmentally responsible maritime operations.
- UNISSULA researchers evaluated four Wave Energy Converter technologies for the southern Java marine environment through ICCDA 2025.
- The wave-energy study assessed technologies suitable for commercial and industrial-scale deployment, while recommending environmental-impact studies to ensure ecological sustainability.