BANGKOK — Thai authorities and private sector partners are making headway in controlling the invasive Blackchin tilapia population, with recent surveys showing a reduction in affected provinces from 19 to 17 as of December 2024.
A multi-stakeholder initiative, led by the Department of Fisheries and supported by major corporations including CP Foods, has transformed the environmental challenge into an opportunity for sustainable development and local economic growth.
CP Foods has committed to purchasing 2 million kilograms of the invasive fish for fishmeal production and providing 200,000 seabass fingerlings as natural predators. The company is also supporting local fishing activities and collaborating with academic institutions on food processing innovations.
The Rubber Authority of Thailand has launched Phase II of its Bio-Fermented Solution Project, which uses harvested Blackchin tilapia to produce fertilizer for rubber plantations. Meanwhile, the Samut Songkhram Provincial Fisheries Office has introduced the “One in Ten” Project, helping farmers reduce costs by using natural predators in aquaculture ponds.
Local communities are finding innovative ways to add value to the captured fish, developing products such as fish sauce, fermented fish, northern Thai sausages, and pickled fish. The Phetchaburi Provincial Fisheries Office has established a “Seabass Fund for Farmers” to support small-scale operators in controlling the invasive species through natural predation.
While the initiative shows promising results, CP Foods noted that legal proceedings related to the Blackchin tilapia issue are ongoing. The company maintains it has followed all legal procedures and continues to work actively with authorities to address the situation.
This collaborative approach between government agencies, private sector companies, and local communities demonstrates how environmental challenges can be transformed into sustainable opportunities while protecting Thailand’s aquatic ecosystems.
_____
