Fishy business: Thailand declares war on invasive blackchin tilapia

Efforts to eradicate the invasive blackchin tilapia fish have been declared a national priority by Thailand’s Agriculture Ministry. Measures to prevent the species from breeding are currently under investigation.

Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompow announced that the ministry is actively working to eliminate the blackchin tilapia, a species native to West Africa, due to its predatory nature and significant threat to underwater biodiversity.

Relevant government officials are exploring the possibility of using sterilisation to control the population, though concerns about potential chromosomal mutations and species alterations remain. Thammanat stressed the importance of thorough research before implementing this method.

The Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT) has been instructed to create a fund to purchase the fish for use as fertiliser in rubber plantations. Thammanat noted that the exact timeline and method of the blackchin tilapia’s introduction to Thailand remain unclear.

However, the ministry has long been engaged in efforts to catch the fish across various provinces. Importing this species without official permission is illegal.

Despite being at the helm of importing the invasive fish species for research back in 2010, Premsak Wanatsunthorn, Deputy Managing Director of Fish Research and Breeding for CP Food (CPF), claims that CPF is not responsible for the spread of blackchin tilapia.

The company had imported 2,000 of the fish for research in 2010 but only 600 survived initially, and the number later fell to 50 due to poor health. CPF discontinued the research and eradicated the remaining fish using chlorine in January 2011.

Premsak clarified that Fishery Department officials investigated CPF’s fish farm in Samut Prakarn when the species was found in local waterways in 2017, yet he maintains CPF’s innocence.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt posted a video on Facebook on Tuesday, showcasing blackchin tilapia being prepared as a meal, suggesting the fish could be used in various dishes.

Yesterday, people were observed catching the fish in several Bangkok locations, including Makkasan Pond. Many planned to eat their catch, according to a source.

The Samut Sakhon Fisheries Office has implemented measures to promote the capture of blackchin tilapia. The office is buying the fish from locals at 8 baht per kilogramme and reselling them to nearby fishmeal plants, reported Bangkok Post.