DIY Regional Government Eradicates Sailfin Catfish in Kalibayem Swamp, Bantul

The Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) carried out a raid on sailfin catfish in Kalibayem Swamp, Ngestiharjo, Kasihan, Bantul. This is because the population of local fish in Kalibayem Swamp has declined due to the abundance of invasive fish, particularly sailfin catfish.

Head of DKP DIY, Heri Sulistio Hermawan, stated that this sailfin catfish raid is a strategic activity for control as well as the preservation of the public aquatic environment, especially in Kalibayem Swamp. The swamp is indicated to have a large number of invasive fish, mainly sailfin catfish.

“This invasive fish is a predator with very high survival ability and dominates Kalibayem Swamp. All of this causes the population of local fish to decline drastically over time,” he told reporters at Kalibayem Swamp, Ngestiharjo, Kasihan, Bantul, on Thursday (7/5/2026).

With this sailfin catfish raid, DKP DIY aims to reduce the population of invasive fish in Kalibayem Swamp. The raid is conducted by netting.

“So, with this sailfin catfish raid as our step to protect and safeguard local fish so that they can remain sustainable,” he said.

Regarding what DKP will do with the sailfin catfish, Heri mentioned that laboratory tests will be carried out.

“This means that we hope to test aspects that serve as indicators of food safety for us all. If the results are safe for consumption, then there will hopefully be follow-up activities,” he said.

The follow-up activities, according to Heri, involve utilising sailfin catfish into beneficial products. One of them is turning it into feed or fish meal that can be prepared for fish farming.

“But if it turns out this fish is contaminated and poses a risk for consumption, it will certainly be an early indicator for us on how to anticipate not consuming it,” he said.