Thailand is grappling with a serious environmental challenge as the blackchin tilapia, labeled the “most invasive species” to hit the country, wreaks havoc on its waterways. Officials say this fish poses a massive threat to the ecosystem, affecting aquaculture and native species.
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.
