DKI KPKP Department Targets Reduction of Janitor Fish Population to 20 Percent

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The DKI Jakarta Food Security, Maritime, and Agriculture Department (KPKP) targets a reduction in the population of janitor fish in Jakarta’s public waters to 20 percent over the next two years.

“The success target we aim to achieve in two years is to control the janitor fish population, which currently reaches 60 to 80 percent in Jakarta’s public waters, to 20 percent,” said Head of the DKI KPKP Department, Hasudungan A. Sidabalok, during a webinar themed “From River to Literacy” discussing the janitor fish phenomenon in Jakarta’s waters, in Jakarta on Thursday.

He stated that the current population of this invasive fish is estimated at 60 to 80 percent in several of Jakarta’s waters, threatening the sustainability of local fish ecosystems.

According to him, janitor fish is one of 14 types of invasive fish prohibited from being kept and released based on Ministerial Regulation on Maritime Affairs and Fisheries No. 19 of 2020.

The presence of janitor fish has also been proven to disrupt the survival of local endemic fish, damage aquatic ecosystems, and cause embankment damage.

“Janitor fish has indeed been proven to damage embankment revetments as spawning sites,” Hasudungan said.

East Jakarta is mentioned as one of the most active areas in janitor fish capture operations, with a significant number of catches.

In addition to capture, the DKI KPKP Department has also prepared standard operating procedures (SOP) for effective janitor fish capture and destruction methods.

He explained that the method of destroying janitor fish is a serious concern because it must consider animal welfare aspects.

“We have written to the MUI (Indonesian Ulema Council) to request guidance on effective destruction methods that do not violate animal welfare principles,” Hasudungan said.

Hasudungan is optimistic that collaborative control efforts can restore the balance of Jakarta’s aquatic ecosystems while increasing biodiversity.

Previously, the DKI KPKP Department recorded 68,880 janitor fish caught in simultaneous activities across five regions carried out on 17 April 2026. The total catch of janitor fish amounted to 6,979.5 kilograms (kg) or equivalent to 6.98 tons.

Based on DKI KPKP Department data, the largest catch came from South Jakarta with 63,600 fish or equivalent to 5,300 kg from the Setu Babakan area, while East Jakarta produced 4,128 fish with a total weight of 825.5 kg from 10 sub-district points.