On 10 November 2025, the Coral Triangle Center (CTC) welcomed 30 Fisheries Extension Officers (Petugas Penyuluh Perikanan, P3) from across Bali for an immersive field learning session on marine conservation and sustainable waste management. The participants visited CTC as part of a five-day “Technical Training on Blue Economy-Based Marine Waste Management” (Pelatihan Teknis Penanganan Sampah Laut Berbasis Ekonomi Biru), held from 7 to 11 November, 2025.

Organized by the Agency for Marine and Fisheries Extension and Human Resources Development  (KKP) – Tuna Fisheries Research Station, Bali Province, the training brought together extension officers who serve as vital links between coastal communities and marine conservation efforts throughout Bali.

The session began with a house tour in CTC’s Center for Marine Conservation, introducing participants to the Coral Triangle reef ecosystem and key marine conservation principles. The tour highlighted CTC’s crucial role in safeguarding marine biodiversity in the Coral Triangle region, one of the world’s most biodiverse marine areas.

Participants then took part in “SOS Plastic Danger,” an interactive escape room simulation that challenged participants to solve problems while confronting the real-world dangers of plastic pollution. The experience brought the crisis to life, deepening their understanding of how plastic threatens marine and coastal ecosystems.

The day concluded at Swirl Garden, CTC’s Permaculture Learning Site, where sustainability shifted from concept to practice. Here, participants learned practical approaches to household waste management and explored how organic waste can be turned into products with real value, offering solutions that can be applied directly in the coastal communities.

Through this multifaceted experience, participants strengthened their understanding of marine conservation principles, the impacts of plastic waste on marine ecosystems, and practical approaches to reducing plastic pollution. The session equipped them with the knowledge and tools to support the application of blue economy principles and drive meaningful change in Bali’s coastal regions.

The field trip also reinforced collaboration between CTC and the Bali Provincial Marine and Fisheries Agency, reflecting growing public interest in CTC’s learning facilities and sustainable practices.

Writer: Jaling Sim
Photos: Luki Kurniawan/CTC, Naja Bertolt Jensen/Ocean Image Bank