Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow has recently advised the Department of Fisheries to refrain from releasing any more information regarding the hot-button issue of the blackchin tilapia fish. The situation has escalated into a significant legal matter currently under the purview of the Supreme Administrative Court. Minister Thamanat’s directive came during an event on Tuesday that spotlighted pla ra (fermented fish), notably made using blackchin tilapia.
The Minister emphasized that the ministry would hold back from issuing any details to the public, including the outcomes of their investigations, until the ongoing legal processes conclude. He suggested that if the Fisheries Department does find it necessary to share information, they should proceed with extreme caution. However, Capt Thamanat did mention that they are currently awaiting crucial DNA test results from Ghana, which could potentially unravel the origins of the blackchin tilapia invasion across 17 Thai provinces.
This blackchin tilapia, originally native to Africa, has become an invasive menace in Thai waterways. Its presence has severely disrupted native ecosystems, outcompeting indigenous fish species for food and habitat. Just this past Monday, Capt Thamanat revealed that an individual potentially responsible for this ecological crisis had been identified. Yet, he chose not to disclose the name. Initially planning a press conference to share investigation results, he reversed this decision on Tuesday, citing concerns over judicial repercussions.
Last month’s governmental actions signal a full-scale offensive against the blackchin tilapia invasion, as the administration recently sanctioned an eye-popping budget of 450 million baht dedicated to controlling this alien species’ spread. Tactics to combat the invasion include purchasing the fish at above-market rates and actively promoting its culinary use. A special fund has been established to buy the invasive species at 15 baht per kilogramme.
In a bid to restore ecological balance, Bancha Sukkaew, the chief of the Department of Fisheries, shared that his department has devised a comprehensive plan. This initiative involves replenishing local waterways with freshwater fingerlings after successfully eradicating the invasive blackchin tilapia. This strategic move aims to rehabilitate the country’s natural ecosystems, giving native species a fighting chance to bounce back.
Be First to Comment