TESTIMONI APRESIASI BUPATI MAROS UNTUK KARYA BUKU EKOWISATA RUMPUT LAUT: PERSEMBAHAN UNTUK ALMARHUM MUHISAL
Oleh Dirk Sandarupa
Dalam semangat Hari Lahir Pancasila, 1 Juni 2026, tim penulis buku “Pengembangan Ekowisata Tambak Berbasis Gracilaria sp sebagai Biofilter dalam Mendukung Ekonomi Biru dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat di Kabupaten Maros” melakukan penyerahan dan penyampaian testimoni apresiasi kepada Bupati Maros, Dr. H. Andi Syafril Chaidir Syam, S.IP., M.H., di Kantor Pemerintah Kabupaten Maros.
Kegiatan tersebut menjadi momentum penghormatan dan apresiasi terhadap karya ilmiah yang sekaligus dipersembahkan untuk mengenang jasa dan dedikasi Almarhum Muhisal, S.Pi., MP, yang semasa hidupnya dikenal sebagai Kepala Dinas Perikanan Kabupaten Maros dan memiliki perhatian besar terhadap pengembangan kawasan pesisir, perikanan berkelanjutan, serta pemberdayaan masyarakat tambak.
Buku ini ditulis secara kolaboratif oleh:
* Almarhum Muhisal, S.Pi., MP
* Hj. Andi Yanti, S.Pi.*
* Ratna Sari, S.Pi., M.Si.
* Dr. Dirk Rukka Sandarupa, S.S., M.Hum., MCE
Dalam testimoni yang diberikan, Bupati Maros menyampaikan apresiasi atas terbitnya buku tersebut yang dinilai relevan dengan arah pembangunan Kabupaten Maros, khususnya dalam pengelolaan sumber daya pesisir, pengembangan ekonomi biru, pelestarian lingkungan, serta pemberdayaan masyarakat lokal. Kabupaten Maros sendiri terus mendorong pembangunan daerah yang berbasis potensi lokal dan penguatan sektor pariwisata berkelanjutan.
Pada kesempatan yang sama, Ratna Sari, S.Pi., M.Si. menyampaikan bahwa potensi tambak berbasis rumput laut Gracilaria yang telah dikunjungi dan diamati langsung di salah satu desa di Kabupaten Maros memiliki peluang besar untuk dikembangkan sebagai kawasan ekowisata edukatif berbasis masyarakat. Menurutnya, kawasan tersebut tidak hanya berfungsi sebagai sentra produksi perikanan dan budidaya rumput laut, tetapi juga dapat menjadi ruang pembelajaran lingkungan, konservasi, dan pemberdayaan ekonomi masyarakat pesisir.
Hal senada juga disampaikan oleh Dr. Dirk Rukka Sandarupa, S.S., M.Hum., MCE. Menurutnya, konsep ekowisata tambak berbasis Gracilaria dapat menjadi model pengembangan wisata baru yang memadukan aspek pendidikan, budaya pesisir, lingkungan, dan ekonomi kreatif masyarakat. Ia berharap kawasan tambak yang telah dikunjungi tersebut dapat dikembangkan secara serius sehingga menjadi salah satu ikon wisata baru Kabupaten Maros, melengkapi destinasi-destinasi yang telah lebih dahulu dikenal luas seperti kawasan karst dan wisata alam Bantimurung, serta berbagai destinasi unggulan lainnya di Maros.
Sementara itu, Hj. Andi Yanti, S.Pi., yang juga merupakan istri Almarhum Muhisal, menyampaikan rasa syukur dan terima kasih atas apresiasi yang diberikan Pemerintah Kabupaten Maros. Ia menuturkan bahwa buku ini merupakan bentuk pengabdian ilmiah sekaligus warisan pemikiran Almarhum Muhisal yang diharapkan tetap memberi manfaat bagi masyarakat, akademisi, pemerintah daerah, dan generasi muda.
Penyerahan testimoni apresiasi tersebut berlangsung dalam suasana hangat dan penuh penghormatan. Kehadiran para penulis menjadi simbol bahwa gagasan besar tentang pengelolaan pesisir yang berkelanjutan tidak berhenti pada sebuah penelitian atau buku, melainkan dapat terus diwujudkan melalui kolaborasi antara pemerintah, akademisi, pelaku usaha, dan masyarakat.
Penerbitan buku ini turut didukung oleh Muhammad Yunus selaku pimpinan CV. Cahaya Bintang Cemerlang yang berkomitmen menghadirkan karya-karya ilmiah dan lokal sebagai bagian dari kontribusi terhadap pembangunan daerah dan penguatan literasi masyarakat.
Melalui karya ini, semangat Almarhum Muhisal diharapkan terus hidup sebagai inspirasi bagi pengembangan ekonomi biru, pelestarian lingkungan pesisir, serta lahirnya destinasi-destinasi ekowisata baru yang mampu membawa Kabupaten Maros semakin maju, berdaya saing, dan berkelanjutan.
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APPRECIATION TESTIMONY FROM THE REGENT OF MAROS FOR THE SEAWEED ECOTOURISM BOOK: A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE MUHISAL
by Dirk Sandarupa
In commemoration of Pancasila Day on June 1, 2026, the authors of the book “Development of Pond Ecotourism Based on Gracilaria sp as a Biofilter in Supporting the Blue Economy and Community Empowerment in Maros Regency” officially presented an appreciation testimony to the Regent of Maros, Dr. H. Andi Syafril Chaidir Syam, S.IP., M.H., at the Maros Regency Government Office. This meaningful occasion served as both an academic milestone and a tribute to the late Muhisal, S.Pi., MP, whose dedication to fisheries development and coastal community empowerment left a lasting impact on Maros Regency.
The book stands as a collaborative scholarly work authored by:
* The Late Muhisal, S.Pi., MP
* Hj. Andi Yanti, S.Pi.
* Ratna Sari, S.Pi., M.Si.
* Dr. Dirk Rukka Sandarupa, S.S., M.Hum., MCE
As a former Head of the Fisheries Office of Maros Regency, the late Muhisal devoted much of his career to promoting sustainable fisheries, coastal resource management, and the welfare of local fishing communities. The publication of this book represents not only an academic contribution but also a continuation of his vision for environmentally responsible development and community-based economic growth.
In his appreciation testimony, Dr. H. Andi Syafril Chaidir Syam, S.IP., M.H., expressed his admiration for the publication, emphasizing its relevance to the development agenda of Maros Regency, particularly in the areas of coastal sustainability, environmental conservation, blue economy initiatives, and community empowerment. He noted that innovative approaches such as seaweed-based ecotourism can provide new opportunities for local economic growth while maintaining ecological balance.
During the presentation, Ratna Sari, S.Pi., M.Si., highlighted the significant potential of the seaweed pond area that the team had recently visited in one of the villages in Maros Regency. According to her, the site possesses strong prospects to be developed into a community-based ecotourism destination that combines environmental education, sustainable aquaculture, and local economic empowerment. She emphasized that the cultivation of Gracilaria seaweed can serve not only as a productive fisheries activity but also as an educational attraction for visitors interested in marine ecology and sustainable development.
Similarly, Dr. Dirk Rukka Sandarupa, S.S., M.Hum., MCE stated that the concept of Gracilaria*-based pond ecotourism offers a unique model that integrates environmental conservation, cultural values, local wisdom, education, and creative economic activities. He expressed hope that the pond area visited by the team could eventually be transformed into one of the new tourism icons of Maros Regency. According to him, such a destination could complement well-known attractions in Maros, including the renowned Bantimurung area and other natural tourism sites, while introducing visitors to the region’s coastal and aquaculture heritage.
Meanwhile, Hj. Andi Yanti, S.Pi., who is also the wife of the late Muhisal, conveyed her gratitude for the appreciation and support given by the Government of Maros Regency. She expressed hope that the book would continue to inspire academics, policymakers, practitioners, and younger generations to pursue sustainable approaches to fisheries, environmental stewardship, and community development.
The event was conducted in a warm and respectful atmosphere, reflecting the shared commitment of government officials, researchers, and community stakeholders toward sustainable regional development. Beyond being an academic publication, the book symbolizes a living legacy of the late Muhisal’s dedication to the advancement of fisheries and coastal communities in Maros.
The publication was also supported by Muhammad Yunus, representing CV. Cahaya Bintang Cemerlang, whose commitment to publishing scholarly and locally inspired works continues to contribute to regional development and public literacy.
Through this publication and the appreciation it received, the authors hope that innovative ecotourism initiatives based on local resources can continue to emerge, strengthening Maros Regency’s position as a region that values sustainability, environmental responsibility, and community welfare. The book ultimately serves as both an academic contribution and a heartfelt tribute to the late Muhisal, whose vision for a sustainable blue economy remains an inspiration for future generations.
