The Fisheries Department has been instructed by the agriculture permanent secretary to launch an investigation into the cause of the rapid spread of Blackchin tilapia, an alien fish species from Africa, and the possibility that the species may have been smuggled into the country.
The Fisheries Department has reported that Charoen Pokphand Foods, or CPF, a subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand Group, is the only company to have sought permission from the department to import 2,000 Blackchin tilapia from Ghana in 2010, for research and species improvements. The company has, however, claimed that most of the fish died before arriving in Thailand and the remainder died shortly after and were properly disposed of.
According to Prayoon Insakul, the agriculture permanent secretary, the uncontrollable spread of the species is threatening the ecological system and aquatic life and is causing hardships to fishermen, as well as fish and shrimp farmers.
The Fisheries Department was told to submit its findings within seven days.
Meanwhile, in the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, a fish catching campaigning was launched yesterday in the Khao Takiab canal, by fishermen and the public, after it was discovered that Blackchin tilapia have thrived in the canal and in Khao Tao reservoir.
The fish was also reported to have been caught in Hua Hin Bay, about two nautical miles from the shore.
Using fine-mesh nets and other equipment, many Blackchin tilapia of various sizes were caught yesterday. Most villagers said they would turn their catches into sun-dried fish, to be kept for eating later, while the smaller fish will be fermented.
