The Songkhla provincial fisheries office is encouraging the public to inform its officials of the presence in natural waterways of Blackchin tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron), a predatory fish species from Africa, and to participate in its campaign to get rid of the non-indigenous fish.
The fish, which is regarded as a threat to the ecological system in natural waterways, has been spotted in several canals in Ranot district, which are connected to Songkhla Lake.
Officials in Songkhla have expressed serious concern that, if the invasive fish species manages to get into the lake, they may have devastating impacts on the ecological system and other aquatic life, because the Blackchin tilapia can spread quickly, can adjust to the environment readily and will eat large quantities of smaller fish.
In 2021, the Fisheries Department ordered a ban on the import and breeding of 13 non-indigenous fish species, including Blackchin tilapia, Zebra cichlid, Peacock cichlid, Rainbow trout, Sea trout, Goliath tiger fish, Jade perch and large mouth Black bass.
