Condition of the Canal in Front of Plaza Indonesia After Cleaning from Sailfin Catfish
The Jakarta Provincial Government is vigorously undertaking efforts to control sailfin catfish in several canals across Jakarta. One of the canals cleaned was the one in front of Plaza Indonesia, Central Jakarta.
Observations at the site on Saturday (18/4/2026) showed that although cleaning had been carried out, sailfin catfish were still visible in the flow of Kali Cideng, right in front of Plaza Indonesia, Menteng. Their presence there was quite noticeable.
Although the numbers were not as many as before, these fish were easily recognisable due to their larger size compared to other fish species and their distinctive body shape. The current condition of the canal water, which is quite clear and with minimal rubbish, made it easy for road users to see directly to the bottom of the canal.
Among the school of sailfin catfish, several small-sized fish species were also seen swimming freely.
Previously, on Friday (10/4), a combined team of 100 personnel from the DKI Food Security, Maritime, and Agriculture Office (Dinas KPKP) to the Central Jakarta Gulkarmat conducted an operation to catch sailfin catfish in Kali Cideng, right in front of Plaza Indonesia, Menteng. In that operation, officers successfully captured 41 large sailfin catfish, which have long been considered to disrupt the river ecosystem.
DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung is known to have instructed all mayors to take action in eradicating sailfin catfish. Pramono even held a special meeting with all mayors to discuss handling the sailfin catfish.
Pramono explained that sailfin catfish is an invasive species originating from South America and has high resilience. Its presence is deemed to damage the balance.
On Friday (17/4), all areas of Jakarta conducted canal cleanups from sailfin catfish. A total of 68,800 sailfin catfish weighing 6.9 tons were captured to be destroyed.
“Based on the data collected, the total number of sailfin catfish captured reached 68,880 individuals with a weight of around 6.98 tons,” said the Head of the DKI Food Security, Maritime, and Agriculture Office (Dinas KPKP), Hasudungan A Sidabalok, when asked for confirmation on Friday (17/4/2026).
He said the area with the largest catch was South Jakarta (Jaksel), namely 63,600 individuals with a weight reaching 5.3 tons. The capture was carried out in the Pintu Air Outlet Setu Babakan area, Srengseng Sawah Village, Jagakarsa Subdistrict.
Meanwhile, in East Jakarta (Jaktim), 4,128 fish weighing 825.5 kg were recorded captured at 10 subdistrict points. In Central Jakarta (Jakpus), officers captured 536 individuals weighing 565 kg at seven subdistrict points.
For North Jakarta (Jakut), 545 fish weighing 271 kg were secured from the connecting channel of RW 06, Kelapa Gading Barat Village, Kelapa Gading Subdistrict.
Whereas in West Jakarta, 71 fish weighing 17 kg were captured in Kali Anak TSI, Duri Kosambi Village, Cengkareng Subdistrict.