Local fishermen and officials from the Fisheries Department conducted mass fishing exercise yesterday, using about 100 fish traps and fishing nets, in Lam Pao Reservoir in the north-eastern province of Kalasin, to find out whether this water source has been invaded by non-native blackchin tilapia fish, which have caused extensive ecological and economic damage across the country.
There was collective relief when not a single blackchin tilapia was caught, only native species, such as thin lip barb, Siamese mud carp and Java barb.
A fisheries official said that they will, however, conduct the second such exercise in the next two weeks to make sure that the reservoir is free from the invasive species from Africa.
The official sought cooperation from members of the public, by not releasing blackchin tilapia into the reservoir or any other natural water source, warning that violators can face two years in prison, a maximum fine of two million baht or both on conviction
Breeding of the fish is also an offence, subject a penalty of one year in prison or a one million baht in fine or both on conviction.
A representative of the Lam Pao fishermen’s network said that, even though not a single blackchin tilapia was found, they will continue, working with the officials, to ensure that the reservoir is free from the species.
Numerous fish and shrimp farm owners in several provinces have complained that their fish and shrimp stocks were completely wiped out by blackchin tilapia.
