PKM UNDIP Creates Turtle Repellent and Baronang to Prevent Failure of Harvesting Seaweed in Karimunjawa

A team of Diponegoro University (UNDIP) of the Student Creativity Program (PKM) Semarang succeeded in creating a tool to repel sea turtles and baronang fish, which is useful for preventing crop failure of seaweed cultivation in Karimunjawa, Jepara, Central Java.

Sea turtles and baronang fish have been identified as one of the causes of the failed seaweed harvest of the fishermen in the small islands.

The team consisted of Muhammad Syahril Munthe, Izzatun Nuha, Nuraini Elvi Fajrin, and Berlian Ade Wijaya, assisted by Prof. Dr. Aristi Dian Purnama Fitri Spi MSi. The research and manufacturing process of the tool is supported by the 2020 Student Creativity Program funding from the Directorate of Learning and Student Affairs, Directorate General of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Culture.

As is well known, most of the people of the Karimunjawa Islands rely on the sea as their source of life. In addition to fishing, residents have made seaweed cultivation a source of income, as well as a sustainable business. In extreme climatic conditions, seaweed management can be a productive activity for residents. Therefore, optimizing the harvest is very important.

From the confession of fishermen who are involved in seaweed cultivation, they often experience crop failures. The identification results show that one of the causes of the failure to harvest seaweed is due to attacks by turtles and baronang fish. Both species in the context of seaweed cultivation are considered pests.

Referring to existing reports, attacks by turtles and baronang fish can cause seaweed production to fall by up to 50%. In a condition where the selling price of seaweed is fluctuating, a 50% decline in production is very disturbing to the income of fishermen in Karimunjawa.

So far, they have had problems in cultivating seaweed because their plants are often attacked by turtles and baronang fish. Therefore, an idea emerged to optimize the yield using simple technology.

The Undip PKM team which conducted a study in Karimunjawa then designed a tool that could drive sea turtles and baronang fish from the seaweed cultivation area. The design received support from the Ministry of Education through the Director-General of Higher Education.

The form of the tool created by the Undip PKM Team is a box equipped with green LED lights, speakers, body, and a series of seeing voltaic. This tool can emit high frequencies which are then caught by the baronang fish through their scales. Because of this frequency, the baronang fish will move away to a position 3 meters from the seaweed cultivation area.

Meanwhile, turtles can also be driven away from getting close to the seaweed cultivation area using this tool. The mechanism, which consists of a green glow from the LED emission, is not liked by the turtle, so the animal will avoid it. The tool is designed automatically and repeatedly, namely on 15 seconds, off five seconds to save energy.

The process of making tools and trials has been carried out from 10 August to 30 September 2020. This innovation from Undip PKM is expected to be able to increase the yield of seaweed cultivation in Karimunjawa in an environmentally friendly way because it does not use chemicals that can pollute marine waters.

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