Groups demand urgent action on “alien fish” saga

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In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 27 Jul 2024 at 07: 17

Blackchin tilapia fish caught from Sanam Chai and Khok Kham canals in Samut Songkhram are cooked to serve people at the BKK Food Bank activity held at Bang Khunthian district office in Bangkok on July 19.Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
At the BKK Food Bank event held at the Bangkok district office on July 19 and the Sanam Chai and Khok Kham canals, blackfish fish bass from the Sanam Chai and Khok Kham rivers are prepared to be served to the public. Photo: Apichart Jinakul )

Civil society organizations are requesting that the authorities investigate the origins of the blackchin fish, an aggressive species of fish that has harmed native species.

That the fish have been allowed to spread indicates that the government failed to take legal actions against the criminals, Withoon Lienchamroon, chairman of the BioThai Foundation, said on Friday. He made the remarks at a seminar titled” Healthy disaster from blackchin tilapia” that the base and its allies organized.

According to Mr. Withoon, Charoen Pokphand Foods ( CPF ) imported 2, 000 blackchin tilapia from Ghana into its breeding facility in Amphawa district of Samut Songkhram province for research and development in 2010.

People reported finding imported bass in Khlong Don Chan, Khlong Luang, and Khlong Somboon near the agency’s breeding center two years later despite the company’s claim that all of the fish had died within three days of being imported into Thailand.

Now, the fish has spread to 17 regions from the Central area to the South.

The Department of Fisheries merely granted CPF the license to buy the bass.

A similar office research on the” Origin and Distribution of Invasive Blackchin Tilapia on Coastal Area of Thailand” also found a biological link between the more recently discovered fish and the same source, according to Mr. Withoon.

” It’s obvious who should take responsibility. But we have not seen the proper behavior from the business”, he said.

” The government has been using taxpayers ‘ money to solve this issue, which is unfair to us,” the statement continues. We need to see the rules enforced on the perpetrator”.

Surachai Trongngam, EnLaw’s secretary-general, suggested the ministry submit to the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act Get 2535.

According to Section 97, the polluter is required to accept responsibility for any economic harm that may result from their actions. A charge of misconduct might be brought against the office.

According to the office, Samut Songkram and Phetchaburi lost 350 million baht as a result of the mysterious species’ 350 million baht in 2018.

The Department and CPF did lodge a complaint with the Lawyers Council of Thailand.