Crackdown on 'Predator' Sailfin Catfish to be Expanded
Governor of DKI Jakarta, Pramono Anung, stated that the capture of sailfin catfish in several river flows in Jakarta will continue. He said the operation to catch sailfin catfish will be expanded.
He mentioned that the abundance of sailfin catfish can damage environmental embankments. He described sailfin catfish as predators that deplete food sources for native habitats such as minnows and other fish.
“So yesterday there were quite a few captures, but it’s impossible to finish it all at once. However, I believe this is something beneficial and provides a positive contribution,” Pramono said at the Jakarta East Mayor’s Office on Sunday (12/4/2026).
“Indeed, sailfin catfish damage, particularly, what is it, environmental embankments and also act as predators because they consume all the food for other fish, thus depleting minnows and other local fish,” he added.
He explained that reducing sailfin catfish must be ongoing. If not, he said, it will affect the community.
“If the capture and reduction of sailfin catfish numbers are not carried out immediately, this will certainly impact us,” he stated.
“Therefore, I will request that not only in Central Jakarta, but in all areas with high sailfin catfish populations, we conduct operations. So we start with what was done in PI yesterday as the beginning,” he continued.
Reasons for Expansion
Pramono Anung supports the recent widespread captures of sailfin catfish in several streams in the Capital. He assesses that their presence has the potential to disrupt ecosystem balance.
“Indeed, this fish migrated from South America, with extraordinary survival capabilities, able to eat anything,” Pramono said at Lapangan Banteng, Central Jakarta, on Saturday (11/4/2026).
According to him, the invasive nature of sailfin catfish makes them a threat to local fish. If not controlled, their population could dominate and disrupt the food chain in the waters.
“If left unchecked, other fish like minnows and so on could disappear,” he said.
In addition to ecosystem impacts, Pramono also warned of potential risks if sailfin catfish are consumed. He stated that the fish could contain harmful substances due to their non-selective feeding habits.
“Because they eat anything, their flesh has the potential to contain contamination from harmful substances,” he explained.
Therefore, Pramono supports massive capture efforts for sailfin catfish to suppress their population. He also appreciated the steps taken by city government officials and field officers in carrying out the crackdown.
“I approve if it’s done massively to reduce sailfin catfish. What was done by PPSU and the Central Jakarta Mayor yesterday, the DKI Jakarta Government gives its appreciation,” he added.
Capture in Front of Plaza Indonesia
A combined team of 100 personnel from the DKI KPKP Department to Gulkarmat Central Jakarta conducted an operation to capture sailfin catfish in Kali Cideng, right in front of Plaza Indonesia, Menteng. In the operation, officers successfully captured 41 large-sized sailfin catfish, which have long been considered disruptive to the river ecosystem.
Head of DKI Jakarta KPKP Department, Hasudungan A Sidabalok, stated that the capture was carried out to eradicate the invasive fish. Similar actions have also been conducted in Kali Ciliwung.
“Previously, we also resolved a similar issue in Kali Ciliwung,” Hasudungan said in a statement on Friday (10/4/2026).
“The result was 41 large-sized sailfin catfish successfully captured,” he continued.
He explained that the dozens of fish captured in Kali Cideng were taken to the Centre for Promotion and Certification of Fishery Products (PPSHP) of the DKI KPKP Department to be destroyed by burial because this fish has very high resilience: able to survive for a long time even without water.
“We hope that following the capture of sailfin catfish, Kali Cideng will be healthier because the invasive fish that disrupts the ecosystem and is difficult to control has been reduced,” he added.