The tilapia has now spread to 17 provinces, and efforts to control it range from crowds gathering to fish them out of lakes to using genetic modification. However, the problem persists. During a parliamentary investigation, Bangkok MP Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat stressed, “We cannot pass a devastated ecosystem to the next generation.”

The blackchin tilapia is a West African fish that preys on small fish, shrimp, and snails, key products in Thailand’s aquaculture industry. Authorities estimate the outbreak could cost the Thai economy 10 billion baht (around $293 million).

For months, the Thai government has encouraged locals to catch the fish, offering double the payment at 15 baht ($0.42) per kilogram. Crowds have responded, wading into shallow waters with basins to catch as many as they can. The government has also released the fish’s natural predators, including Asian seabass and long-whiskered catfish, to combat the growing population.

However, with females producing up to 500 offspring at a time, the battle is challenging. To curb their population, authorities plan to release genetically-modified tilapia by the end of the year, which will produce sterile offspring.

The root of the problem remains unclear. Some believe that a 2010 experiment by Charoen Pokphand Food (CPF), Thailand’s largest agribusiness, may have caused the spread. The company imported 2,000 tilapia from Ghana, but claims they all died and were properly buried. However, outbreaks were reported near a CPF laboratory two years later. CPF denies responsibility and has threatened legal action against those spreading misinformation.

Experts warn that the fight against this invasive species could be an uphill battle. Aquatic genetics expert Dr. Suwit Wuthisuthimethavee believes it may be impossible to fully eradicate the fish, given its rapid reproduction. Freshwater ecosystem expert Nonn Panitvong echoed this, saying, “Once alien species establish themselves, it’s incredibly hard to get rid of them.”

Despite these challenges, Thailand remains committed to controlling the blackchin tilapia outbreak and protecting its precious aquatic ecosystems.

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These innovative strains might have the key to revitalizing the white shrimp farm numbers, which have faced a decline since 2012 due to the outbreak of Early Mortality Syndrome, also known as Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (EMS-AHPND). Praphan emphasized the substantial damage inflicted on Thailand’s aquaculture sector by this bacterial disease and underscored the critical role these new strains will play in ensuring its resilience.

White shrimp, renowned for its demand in both domestic and overseas markets, serves as a major contributor to Thailand’s export revenue, generating an impressive average of 100 billion baht annually. The successful development of Petchada 1 and Sida 1 is anticipated to contribute significantly to the establishment of a sustainable shrimp industry, addressing the challenges posed by disease outbreaks and economic fluctuations.

The meticulous development of these strains involved collaboration between the Department of Fisheries and the Agricultural Research Development Agency. The team of marine biologists employed selective breeding and molecular genetic marker methods to create these advanced genotypes. In an effort to evaluate genetic diversity and study disease-free DNA, Pacific white shrimp strains from the United States, Guam, and Thailand were meticulously selected.

The shrimp underwent rigorous testing in a biosecure system to assess their growth capacity and genetic diversity. The findings of the study revealed that Thailand’s domestic strains emerged as the most promising base population for further development. Petchada 1, developed at the Genetic Aqua-Animal Research and Development Centre in Phetchaburi province, exhibited high growth potential compared to shrimp from other sources.

On the other hand, the Sida 1 breeder, originating from the Genetic Aqua-Animal Research and Development Centre in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, demonstrated the highest survival rate against EMS-AHPND, outperforming its counterparts. While still in the research and development phase, Praphan expressed optimism about the next steps, emphasizing the importance of testing these strains on a commercial scale. The aim is to mitigate losses among shrimp farmers and take a significant stride toward establishing a sustainable and robust shrimp industry in Thailand.

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