PUBLISHED: 23 Jul 2024 at 09:08
In a significant move to combat the invasive blackchin tilapia, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has called upon the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to intensify efforts aimed at preventing the species from spreading throughout the country. The invasive fish, originally from West Africa, poses a threat to local ecosystems and biodiversity.
In response to this urgent issue, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow convened a meeting in Samut Sakhon with officials from 16 provinces affected by the invasive fish’s rapid proliferation. During the meeting, Minister Thamanat emphasized the importance of addressing the blackchin tilapia invasion as a national priority.
To curb the expansion of this species, the Department of Fisheries has announced it will purchase blackchin tilapia from local fishermen at a rate of 15 baht per kilogram. However, the overabundance of this fish has driven its market price down to 10 baht per kilogram, leading to concerns that some might exploit the situation by reselling it for profit.
The ministry is exploring various strategies to manage the blackchin tilapia population. Potential methods include installing traps, introducing natural predators like white seabass to control hatchling numbers, and promoting blackchin tilapia as a sustainable food source for both humans and animals.
Additionally, the ministry is investigating genetic methods to prevent the fish from breeding, which could provide a long-term solution to the problem.
In a collaborative effort, representatives from the National Fisheries Association of Thailand presented a plan to the ministry, urging for government support and funding to enhance eradication initiatives.
Recently, the Department of Fisheries implemented a prohibition on the farming of blackchin tilapia. According to Section 144 of the Fisheries Act, offenders may face penalties of up to one year in prison and/or fines reaching one million baht. This ban underscores the urgent need to address the ecological threats posed by the species, which rapidly matures and reproduces, jeopardizing native aquatic life and disrupting local fisheries.
