BANGKOK — The Department of Fisheries has taken 5 measures to control the spread of the blackchin tilapia, which has caused considerable ecological damage and impact on fishing in Thailand.
As of July 17, Mr. Bancha Sukkha, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, reported that blackchin tilapia have been present in Thailand since 2017, with wide-ranging outbreaks in central regions by early 2024, including Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, and Phetchaburi.
Outbreaks are currently being detected in some areas of 9 provinces: Chanthaburi, Rayong, Chachoengsao, Ratchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, and reports indicate additional outbreaks in 2 other provinces: Nakhon Pathom and Nonthaburi, making a total of 16 provinces affected.
Thammanas Phrompha, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, said on Tuesday that he has been continuously aware of the issue and has addressed it as a national priority. The fish, previously known as the Blackchin tilapia, has recently lost its distinctive coloration. It is considered a problematic species due to its rapid reproduction and tendency to consume other aquatic animals, making it potentially harmful to local ecosystems.
The Ministry, therefore, set up a committee to deal with the outbreak of the blackchin tilapia epidemic. They have taken 5 important measures:
- Control and eradicate blackchin tilapia in all affected water sources.
2. Release predatory fish such as white perch and tilapia to eliminate blackchin tilapia in natural water sources. A total of 226,000 fish were released in natural water sources in 7 provinces.
3. Use the blackchin tilapia taken from the ecosystem for various purposes, e.g. to make fish powder. Coordinate with Thai fish powder producers in Samut Sakhon region, sell to 2 fish powder factories, namely Siri Sang Arahm Pee Company Limited, at a price of 10 baht per kilogram, allocation of 500,000 kilograms (500 tons), 491,687 kilograms were sold, value 4,916,870 baht.
Another company is Tha Chin Fishmeal Industries Limited, which buys blackchin tilapia from surrounding provinces, including Bangkok and Ratchaburi, at a price of 7 baht per kilogram and without quota, totaling 510,000 kilograms worth 5 million baht.
4. Conduct surveys and monitor the spread of blackchin tilapia in natural water sources in various areas.
5. Promote awareness and involvement in the eradication of blackchin tilapia for all sectors by the Department of Fisheries has been ongoing. Additionally, aggressive promotional activities have been organized to raise awareness among the public.
For example, on July 10, Phetchaburi Province held promotional activities to promote processed products from blackchin tilapia, such as salted fish, sun-dried fish, and fish sauce. Moreover, the province established a task force to develop an action plan and budget to address the issue.
Regarding the current social trend questioning the origin of the widespread outbreak of blackchin tilapia, the Director General of the Department of Fisheries explained that this species originates from the African continent and was legally introduced by a company in 2010 for breeding research.
Subsequently, the company terminated the research and did not report the destruction to the Department of Fisheries as required by the conditions set by the Department of Fisheries. According to the investigation conducted by Department officials on site during the 2017 outbreak, all samples were completely destroyed by burial.
The Department of Fisheries also denies rumors that officials were sent to collect samples of blackchin tilapia used for research purposes from the farm of the said company. Fifty samples were submitted for DNA testing, which may be the source of the current Nile tilapia outbreak, confirmed by evidence that no samples were received.
As for the company mentioned by the Director General of the Department of Fisheries, CPF Company Limited sent a letter of explanation to the state authorities stating that the company’s researchers reported all the facts in 2017.
Subsequently, the National Human Rights Commission visited the farm again and the company’s researchers explained the methods used to destroy all the fish by using concentrated chlorine and burying the fish carcasses with lime. The company asserts that their actions were not the cause of the current outbreak.
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