Deemed disruptive to ecosystem, Pram reviews capture of sailfin catfish

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo inspected the process of capturing sailfin catfish and cleaning water channels in the Kelapa Gading area, North Jakarta, on Friday. Pramono stated that the activity was not only taking place in North Jakarta but simultaneously in five regions of Jakarta. “The implementation is simultaneous in five cities in Jakarta to catch sailfin catfish, because it is known that sailfin catfish now dominate the waters in Jakarta,” said Pramono in the Kelapa Gading area, North Jakarta, on Friday. The man, familiarly called Pram, explained that according to findings from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), it is estimated that more than 60 percent of sailfin catfish are currently in Jakarta and other areas. The presence of these fish in rivers and culverts is considered quite dangerous because they eat eggs from local fish and damage river walls. “The most dangerous thing is that in yesterday’s meeting, I was reported by the Head of KKP that the average residue level in these fish is already above 0.3. If consumed, it will be dangerous, and if left alone, it will cause damage,” explained Pramono. For this reason, he requested that all rivers and water channels in the five regions of Jakarta be cleaned of these animals. Meanwhile, as a form of support for the sailfin catfish capture process, RW 06 Chairman of Kelapa Gading Barat, Ihsan, provided a reward of Rp5,000 per kilogram for residents willing to help catch the fish. “I just spontaneously responded to what Mr Governor instructed for the DKI Jakarta region, to control this sailfin catfish pest. As an incentive to motivate in this area, we price it at Rp5,000 per kilo plus pocket money, specifically for RW 06 area, just like that,” said Ihsan.