90,000 Asian Seabass to be Introduced to Curb Invasive Fish in Samut Sakhon

[snoop1130]

 

In an attempt to tackle the problem of invasive blackchin tilapia in local waterways, officials in Samut Sakhon are planning to release 90,000 barramundis, also known as Asian seabass. The process is set to begin on July 12, with large-sized barramundis being the primary focus.

 

Niran Promkruan, a senior fisheries officer in Samut Sakhon, announced the operation which hopes to stem the growth of the blackchin tilapia population by introducing their natural predator, the barramundi. The first phase aims to release 90,000 barramundis during this month, kicking off at 11am on July 13.

 

Samut Sakhon's Governor, Phol Dhamatham, will launch the operation, overseeing the release of the first 30,000 barramundis into the Tha Chin River in Mueang district, near Wat Kamphra in the Bang Ya Phraek Subdistrict.

 

 

Several further releases are scheduled throughout the remainder of the month. On July 23, an additional 20,000 barramundis will be introduced to the Tha Raeng Canal at Wat Yok Krabat in Ban Phaeo District. The next day, another batch of 20,000 will be added to the Damnoen Saduak Canal, again in Ban Phaeo district. The final release is slated for July 26, with the last 20,000 barramundis being added to the Phitthayalongkorn Canal near the Ban Khun Thian district boundary in Bangkok, as reported by KhaoSod.

 

Officials hope that by introducing a substantial number of Asian seabass, the overwhelming population of blackchin tilapia will decrease naturally, leading to healthier waterways. The operation is part of a broader effort to enhance aquatic life in Samut Sakhon and nearby areas. The plan employs a biological solution to tackle the invasive species, which has been a consistent issue impacting local fisheries and biodiversity.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-07-12

 

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[watchcat]

10 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In an attempt to tackle the problem of invasive blackchin tilapia in local waterways, officials in Samut Sakhon are planning to release 90,0,00 barramundis, also known as Asian seabass. The process is set to begin on July 12, with large-sized barramundis being the primary focus.

 

They'll meet the same destiny/fate as the blackchin tilapia, there is something wrong with the water, polluted?

[hotchilli]

So the Barramundis will eat the Tilapia and anything else that swims.. good luck any native species.

Edited July 13 by hotchilli

[PETERTHEEATER]

Why is it called 'seabass' if it's a freshwater fish?

[Muhendis]

9 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Why is it called 'seabass' if it's a freshwater fish?

The Barramundi can live quite happily in both freshwater and seawater.

It can also change sex if it feels the need.

[john donson]

history shows us it ALWAYS works out great to replace one kind with another to solve a problem...

[Classic Ray]

Barramundi make excellent eating, I hope enough of them survive the anglers to deal with the tilapia problem.

 

Actually what is the tilapia problem? Are they eating other native fish? Tilapia are also a good food fish.

[Grumpy one]

1 hour ago, Muhendis said:

The Barramundi can live quite happily in both freshwater and seawater.

It can also change sex if it feels the need.

Changing it's sex 

 Should feel right at home in Thailand  

[fondue zoo]

LadyBass

[PETERTHEEATER]

4 hours ago, Muhendis said:

The Barramundi can live quite happily in both freshwater and seawater.

It can also change sex if it feels the need.

Thanks. Unusual but convenient. I don't care for Tilapia as a food. Occasionally eat Perch caught in local reservoirs. I must have eaten Asian Bass at some point. Much prefer marine fish.

[Muhendis]

2 hours ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Occasionally eat Perch caught in local reservoirs.

You will be pleased to know that the Barramundi is related to the giant sea perch and also distantly related to the infamous Nile perch.

There is probably a connection to your reservoir perch. 

[topt]

There is an opinion piece in the online news that I believe we cannot quote which goes into the background on this a little - basically it seems they have been dragging their heels for years about trying to sort it out.........

Edited July 13 by topt
Actually apparently an editorial

[cowellandrew]

On 7/13/2024 at 2:03 AM, Muhendis said:

The Barramundi can live quite happily in both freshwater and seawater.

It can also change sex if it feels the need.

Ah but what's pronouns?

Fish trans

LGBTQ, + fish

 

[Robert Paulson]

Humans are so good at solving ecological problems like this. Especially thais. This will work 100% without a hitch. 😂 

[MarkBR]

On 7/13/2024 at 7:12 AM, hotchilli said:

So the Barramundis will eat the Tilapia and anything else that swims.. good luck any native species.

I wonder whether they have looked at the impact of introducing a voracious predator.  It will eats lots.  A beneficial income is not guaranteed.  The case of the introduction of Nile perch to African lakes would have been instructive.

Simplistic solutions seldom work as planned.

[rickudon]

Barramundi are native to the Thai coastal waters, so not an introduced foreign fish that will run amok. Probably the local populations have been near exterminated by overfishing/pollution. They are farmed in Thailand, hence easy to get the fish to stock the rivers/canals. Biggest problem will be the locals catching and eating them....

The Blackchin Tilapia is able to survive in polluted water and breeds very successfully, displacing other fish and aquatic fauna. As an introduced fish its natural predators/parasites are not present, giving it another advantage. They could be eaten, but do not grow very big (most under 15 cm). Probably could also use giant snakeheads to cull the tilapia, but hard to get 90,000 of them!