World Ocean Day: Nadya Tirta, the Woman Guardian of the Sea from Sabang

Every June 8th, the world commemorates World Ocean Day—a reflective moment to remember how vital the ocean is to human life. Amid this celebration, an inspiring figure emerges from the westernmost tip of Indonesia, someone who consistently advocates for marine conservation amidst the growing tourism industry. Her name is Nadya Tirta, a young woman from Sabang, Aceh, who not only loves the ocean but has made it her life’s calling.

The Ocean as a Laboratory of Life

A graduate in Biology from Universitas Jenderal Soedirman and a Master’s degree holder in Marine Biology from Universitas Syiah Kuala, she sees the ocean not merely as a tourist attraction, but as an ecosystem that must be protected with knowledge and love. For Nadya, Sabang and its maritime life are a natural laboratory—a place where she dedicates herself to science and community.

Sabang, especially Weh Island, is well-known as a world-class diving destination. Its crystal-clear waters, captivating coral reefs, and rich marine biodiversity make it a magnet for tourists. But behind this beauty, Nadya sees a looming threat: tourism that grows without an ecological perspective. “Tourism is like a double-edged sword—if not managed wisely, it can become a disaster for the ecosystem,” she says.

A Father’s Legacy and a Daughter’s Innovation

Nadya’s passion for conservation did not grow in a vacuum. She inherited her love for the sea from her father, Dodent, a diver and environmental activist in Sabang. Since childhood, Nadya was accustomed to joining her father’s activities: coral transplantation, mangrove planting, and sea clean-ups. After the 2004 Aceh tsunami, they worked side by side to restore the devastated coastal environment.

Armed with knowledge and passion, Nadya developed a more economical and environmentally friendly coral transplantation method. From the Bioreeftek Recycle technique that utilizes coconut shells to the Spiderweb structure—an innovative spider-web-like technique now considered the most effective for coral growth in the waters of Sabang.

Facing New Challenges

Unlike her father, who faced the direct impacts of natural disasters, Nadya’s challenges are now much more complex: global warming, increased tourist boat traffic, poor waste management, and coral reef damage caused by human activities. She has observed that local fishermen and fishers are beginning to struggle to catch fish around the Iboih resort— a clear sign that the ecosystem is starting to be disturbed.

Thus was born her dream: a master plan for ecotourism in Sabang. She aims to build a sustainable tourism system that aligns with ecological principles. “It’s unfortunate that Sabang already has conservation areas like the Rubiah Island Marine Tourism Park, but they are not yet supported by clear ecological management,” she said. The issue is not just the number of visitors, but the lack of integrated management, from accommodations and tourism activities to waste management.

Sustainable Solutions and Community Education

Through the Coral Oasis Foundation, Nadya designs various community-based solutions. One of them is environmentally friendly lobster farming to reduce the harvesting of wild lobsters that damage coral reefs. She also initiated educational tourism packages that invite tourists to participate in coral transplantation activities—not just as spectators, but as active contributors to conservation.

For Nadya, involving the community, including children, is the key to long-term change. She dreams of collaborating with schools in Sabang to develop marine education programs for the younger generation. With hopeful determination, she says, “I want to establish a marine research center in Sabang, a place where scientists from both inside and outside the country can come, learn, and work together to protect the ocean.”

The Ocean Is Not an Inheritance, But a Trust

Amid climate change and global challenges, Nadya Tirta’s story reminds us that protecting the ocean is not only the duty of scientists or activists. The ocean is a shared responsibility. In Sabang, Nadya has proven that one person can make a difference when they are committed, knowledgeable, and take action.

This World Ocean Day, let’s learn from Nadya Tirta: protecting the ocean means safeguarding the future—not just for one region, but for all humanity.

Reference:
 Irmalasari, F. R. (2024). Inspiration from Women in Indonesian Tourism Destinations. Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Republic of Indonesia.

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World Ocean Day, Ocean Conservation, Environmental Heroes, Marine Biodiversity, Sabang, Indonesia Ocean, Nadya Tirta, Guardian of the Sea, Sustainable Oceans, Women in Conservation, Climate Action, Eco Warriors, Ocean Advocacy, Marine Protection, Coastal Communities