East Jakarta City Government Prepares Surprise Inspections to Prevent Circulation of Plecostomus Fish

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The East Jakarta City Government (Pemkot Jaktim) is preparing surprise inspections (sidak) at several high-risk locations to strengthen monitoring of the circulation of plecostomus fish. “To ensure that the public does not utilise or consume plecostomus fish, the Food Security, Maritime Affairs, and Agriculture Sub-Department (KPKP) will conduct spot checks at every point. Regular monitoring at siomay factories or elsewhere,” said East Jakarta Mayor Munjirin at the Ciliwung Eco Eduwisata Dock, Cililitan, Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, on Friday. This measure is being taken to ensure that the fish, declared unfit for consumption, does not enter the public’s food chain. The inspections will target business operators and food processing facilities that may potentially use plecostomus fish as raw material. Furthermore, Munjirin stated that this step is crucial given the long-standing practices of catching and selling plecostomus fish within the community. Therefore, field supervision is seen as key to breaking the distribution chain of the fish. Meanwhile, the Head of the East Jakarta KPKP Sub-Department, Taufik Yulianto, said that the inspection activities will focus more on ongoing monitoring rather than large-scale raids. Officers will go directly to the field to ensure there is no misuse of plecostomus fish as a consumption material. “We’ll just monitor, monitor. We ensure it’s not used for consumption,” Taufik stated. Further, Taufik mentioned that the monitoring efforts are being carried out alongside initiatives to restore water ecosystems. According to him, the dominance of plecostomus fish in several water bodies is one of the factors disrupting environmental balance. “Once the water is clean, we’ll introduce local fish as a maintenance method. Tilapia that’s suitable for the conditions,” Taufik explained. The East Jakarta City Government plans to gradually release local fish after the plecostomus population decreases and water quality improves. This step is expected to restore ecosystem balance while providing safer economic value for the community. Regarding monitoring, Taufik emphasised that the upcoming activities will prioritise monitoring over large-scale raids. Thus, the presence of officers in the field is hoped to prevent the practice of distributing plecostomus fish for consumption. “Just monitor, monitor. We’re still optimistic about providing education and attention to residents who don’t yet understand or have limited knowledge,” Taufik revealed. The activities are centred at the Ciliwung Eco Eduwisata Dock, Cililitan Ward, Kramat Jati District, and are being conducted in a hybrid manner at several other water points. In Matraman District, the activities take place at the Gunung Antang Water Gate, RW 9, Palmeriam Ward. In Duren Sawit District, they are centred at Kali Buaran II, while in Cakung District, the fish catching occurs in the Rokem Housing area, Tambun Rengas. Then, in Jatinegara District, the operation is held at the BC Water Pump House of the Water Resources Sub-Department, Bidara Cina Ward. Subsequently, in Cipayung District, the operation takes place at Waduk Cilangkap 2 Agrowisata, RW 1, Cilangkap Ward. Next, in Pasar Rebo District, the activities are focused at the Setu Pedongkelan Irrigation, Pekayon Ward. Then, in Ciracas District, the activities are carried out at Kali Cipinang, RT 4 RW 3, Rambutan Ward, while in Pulo Gadung District, the catching operation is centred at Kali Pasadenia, Jalan Pacuan Kuda, Kayu Putih Ward. Additionally, in Makasar District, the plecostomus fish catching operation is conducted at Kali Sunter Sipon Kalimalang, specifically at Jalan Pintu Air, Cipinang Melayu Ward. The catching results reached 763 kilograms or 7.63 quintals of plecostomus fish in the simultaneous operation held across 10 districts.