Ciliwung Naturalisation Task Force: Throwing Organic Waste into River Triggers Explosion of Sailfin Catfish

BOGOR, KOMPAS.com — The Ciliwung Naturalisation Task Force assesses that the food supply for sailfin catfish must be halted to break the chain of its reproduction in the river areas of Bogor City. One highlighted source of food comes from organic waste discarded into the river flow by restaurant activities and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Environmental activist Suparno Jumar stated that efforts to eradicate sailfin catfish are not sufficient with capture alone, but must be accompanied by stopping the food sources. According to him, the food supply from organic waste causes sailfin catfish to reproduce quickly. The growth of these fish becomes rapid due to the abundance of available food. “When they hatch, their growth is very fast, why? Because the supply or food source for sailfin catfish is abundant,” he said. Suparno assesses that the high population of sailfin catfish is also influenced by minimal captures and the absence of natural predators. Therefore, handling cannot be done sporadically. “In the end, this capture process cannot just be done like a blitz attack, once casting a net or once ceremonial, then considered finished—it cannot be like that,” he explained. He also warned of the ecological impacts from the presence of sailfin catfish in the river. According to him, the fish often bore holes in the river walls for shelter as well as egg-laying sites. This condition has the potential to trigger landslides on riverbanks. “When these holes become more massive, it means there is a potential when there is pressure from the current or stronger pressure from below, it could cause the river walls to collapse or landslide,” Suparno explained. “Regarding the sailfin catfish in the Bogor City area, we have found them at three points. The first point is in Kedung Halang Sukaresmi, then Kedung Badak, and one more under the Yapis Bantarjati bridge,” said Dedie at the Bogor Botanical Gardens on Saturday (25/4/2026). Dedie explained that the Bogor City Government will first coordinate with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry before taking eradication steps. According to him, sailfin catfish is an invasive species that can disrupt the balance of aquatic ecosystems. Its presence is considered detrimental to local fish and impacts communities dependent on river resources. “So later we will try to coordinate with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Minister and Deputy Minister, so that together we can jointly strive to eradicate, capture, and address the sailfin catfish pest which turns out to have destructive properties to the ecosystem,” he stated.