In the serene but bustling canals of Sanam Chai and Khok Kham in Samut Songkhram, an unexpected culinary event was held thanks to the presence of the invasive blackchin tilapia fish. The BKK Food Bank activity at the Bang Khunthian district office in Bangkok on Friday was marked by the presence of this unusual delicacy, cooked and served to the community, in a wonderful blend of environmental awareness and gastronomy. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
Meanwhile, a government subcommittee has been dedicatedly probing into the spread of these tenacious invaders in Thailand’s waterways. This zealous taskforce will be meeting at the Department of Fisheries on Tuesday to dive into importation records and examine the storage conditions of fish carcasses. Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, an ardent Move Forward Party MP for Bangkok and deputy chairman of the subcommittee, passionately revealed on Friday that they aim to scrutinize the import protocols for such foreign species to ensure they are strictly followed.
Diving into the archives, from 2013 to 2016, the director-general of the department, Bancha Sukkaew, pointed out that documents reveal 11 private firms were responsible for exporting this species from Thailand to as many as 17 countries, with a staggering total of 230,000 fish making the journey.
The blackchin tilapia first caught Thailand’s eye when it appeared in local waters back in 2012, at a time when it was not yet listed as a prohibited species. As per the Institutional Biosafety Committee, private entities wishing to import alien fish species are bound by four stringent conditions, one of which includes submitting fin samples for scrutiny.
Adding a twist to the tale, on Thursday, the subcommittee plans to summon one of the key importers, Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF). CPF is expected to shed light on whether they adhered to all specified conditions when they imported the invasive blackchin tilapia into Thailand back in 2010. The company had secured a permit to study and breed this fish at its research center in Samut Songkhram.
Mr. Nattacha elaborated that the main goal of their rigorous investigation is to ensure a foolproof process for the importation of fish, particularly those that might wreak havoc on the local ecosystem. He warned that without stringent procedures, Thailand could find itself grappling with an influx of alien species.
Further, the subcommittee aims to determine the genetic match between the invasive fish currently wreaking havoc and the original batch imported by CPF. CPF maintains that it eliminated all the blackchin tilapia in its stock by 2011.
The vice president of the Lawyers Association is also scheduled to make an appearance, offering legal advice on potential violations related to natural resources and environmental laws. The subcommittee’s findings will serve as a cornerstone to assess the possibility of a lawsuit.
Mr. Nattacha candidly stated that given the inefficacy of current legal repercussions in addressing such ecological threats, there is a pressing need to review and amend the existing laws. For the moment, he highlights, responsibility can be taken either legally or out of moral obligation.
It’s good to see a community event raising awareness about the environmental impact of invasive species.
I agree, but how effective is it really? These invasive species could do irreversible damage.
Raising awareness is just the first step. Educating the community can lead to real actions to combat these invasions.
I think it’s more about involving people at a grassroots level. Government action alone won’t solve this issue.
CPF needs to be held accountable if they didn’t follow proper protocols when importing the tilapia.
Totally, big corporations often get away with negligence. It’s about time we put their feet to the fire.
But we should wait for the investigation to conclude. Jumping to conclusions won’t help anybody.
True, let’s hope the subcommittee’s investigation is thorough and unbiased.
This just goes to show how weak our environmental laws are. We need stricter regulations ASAP.
Definitely. Not just tighter laws but also proper enforcement. Paper laws aren’t enough.
Isn’t it also about public awareness? People need to know the impact of what they’re buying and consuming.
I’m just here for the food. Fish is fish, right?
It’s not that simple, Bobby. Invasive species can destroy native ecosystems.
Yeah, but at least they’re putting it to good use. Better than letting them ruin our waters.
Blaming CPF seems like a scapegoat move. This problem is way bigger and older.
That’s true, but accountability has to start somewhere.
Fair point, but focusing too much on CPF may lead us to miss the bigger picture.
Any legal consequences for those who introduced this species without proper clearance?
If there aren’t, there should be. Environmental negligence is serious.
Sometimes it’s hard to track down the exact source, though. Responsibility might be diluted.
True, but an investigation might still reveal solid leads.
I don’t think banning exotic species outright is the solution. We just need better management practices.
Managing them is tough. Prevention is easier than fixing the damage after the fact.
But complete bans can stifle scientific research and legitimate uses.
Would be interesting to see a follow-up on how effective this subcommittee’s measures turn out to be.
Agreed. Talk is cheap. We need to see actual results.
Community events like this are great, but will they make a big enough impact on the issue?
Every little bit helps. We can’t underestimate the power of collective effort.
What’s the alternative to eating these fish? Just let them overrun the waterways?
No, we need a controlled approach. Random consumption without regulation can cause more problems.
It’s about balance. Consume wisely and responsibly.
LOL, tilapia for dinner, who would’ve thought it would become an environmental issue.
It’s not just about dinner; it’s about protecting our ecosystem.
If CPF did something wrong, why hasn’t the government taken action till now?
Probably because these things get buried under bureaucracy.
Subcommittees and investigations are fine, but we need direct action to remove these invasive species.
Direct action without proper plans can lead to worse ecological disasters.
People need to learn about biodiversity and how fragile ecosystems can be disrupted easily.
That’s a key point. Education is as important as regulation.
Why should taxpayers foot the bill for cleaning up corporate messes?