Minister identifies source of invasive blackchin tilapia in Thai waters

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow today announced his knowledge of the party responsible for the blackchin tilapia fish currently invading Thai waterways. He plans to present the findings to the Cabinet today, August 5.

Thamanat revealed that the investigation into the spread of the highly adaptive and predatory blackchin tilapia, native to Africa, had concluded.

“I have all the details but would like the appropriate organisation to make the announcement.”

The ministry has developed clear plans and measures to control the invasive population of these alien fish, assuring the public there is no cause for excessive concern.

Steps have been initiated, and the minister expressed confidence in their effectiveness, pledging to evaluate these measures next month.

He clarified that no blackchin tilapia were present at sluice gates, emphasising that control efforts had begun before the issue gained public attention.

Thamanat also addressed the closure of certain prawn farms, asserting that these closures were unrelated to the blackchin tilapia invasion, as they had occurred before the fish began spreading.

Last month, the government declared an all-out war on it. Control measures include purchasing the fish at above market price and promoting its consumption.

Police from the Central Investigation Bureau caught blackchin tilapia in Samut Sakhon province yesterday morning and prepared them for lunch, to be served to officials back in Bangkok.

In related news, concerns over the potential invasion of blackchin tilapia in Phuket have led to the destruction of 20 kilogrammes of the fish sold at local markets. The environmental group Monsoon Garbage Thailand sparked the action, highlighting the ecological threat posed by the species if it were to establish itself in the island’s waters.

The blackchin tilapia, a cichlid species native to coastal West Africa, was introduced to Asia and North America and is now considered invasive in these regions. Monsoon Garbage Thailand raised the alarm through a Facebook post, urging immediate action to prevent the fish from entering Phuket’s ecosystem.