Jakarta Eradicates Sailfin Catfish, Nearly 7 Ton Culled in a Day
The Jakarta Provincial Government continues to capture sailfin catfish. In one day, 68,800 sailfin catfish weighing 6.9 tons were caught in five areas of Jakarta for destruction.
“Based on the collected data, the total number of sailfin catfish captured reached 68,880 individuals weighing around 6.98 tons,” said the Head of the Food Security, Maritime, and Agriculture Office (KPKP) of DKI Jakarta, Hasudungan A Sidabalok, when contacted on Friday (17/4/2026).
He stated that the area with the largest catch was South Jakarta (Jaksel), namely 63,600 individuals weighing 5.3 tons. The capture took place in the Pintu Air Outlet Setu Babakan area, Srengseng Sawah Ward, Jagakarsa Subdistrict.
Meanwhile, in East Jakarta (Jaktim), 4,128 fish weighing 825.5 kg were recorded caught at 10 subdistrict points. In Central Jakarta (Jakpus), officers captured 536 individuals weighing 565 kg at seven subdistrict points.
For North Jakarta (Jakut), 545 fish weighing 271 kg were secured from the connecting channel of RW 06, Kelapa Gading Barat Ward, Kelapa Gading Subdistrict.
“Whereas in West Jakarta, 71 fish weighing 17 kg were captured in Kali Anak TSI, Duri Kosambi Ward, Cengkareng Subdistrict,” he revealed.
This operation is part of efforts to control the sailfin catfish population, which is considered damaging to aquatic ecosystems. In the future, similar activities are planned to be carried out periodically to maintain environmental balance in the Jakarta area.
Sailfin Catfish Population in Jakarta Exceeds 60%
DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung revealed the sailfin catfish population in Jakarta’s waters. Pramono stated that the number of this invasive fish has exceeded more than 60%.
“From the analysis results, it is estimated that over 60% of sailfin catfish are now in Jakarta,” said Pramono during an inspection of sailfin catfish capture in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, on Friday (17/4).
Pramono explained that the dominance of sailfin catfish poses a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems. This fish is invasive and preys on the eggs of other fish, making local species difficult to survive.
“This fish is highly invasive, and it also causes other fish, especially endemic local ones, to almost all not be able to survive because their eggs are eaten,” he said.
In addition, sailfin catfish is considered dangerous if consumed. Pramono stated that the residue content in the fish’s body is relatively high.
“On average, it is above 0.3 residue levels. That is very dangerous if consumed,” he emphasised.
KKP to Revise Regulations
The government plans to revise the Minister’s Regulation (Permen) for controlling the sailfin catfish population. The Director General of Aquaculture at KKP, Haeru Rahayu, said that the revision is needed to adapt to field conditions.
“Currently, a revision is being carried out so that it can be more applicable in controlling the sailfin catfish population,” said Haeru in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, on Friday (17/4).
He stated that controlling sailfin catfish is not an easy matter. Biologically, he said, there is no effective natural predator that preys on the fish yet.
He said that a chemical approach could potentially cause adverse impacts on the environment. He stated that direct capture of sailfin catfish is currently one of the methods.
“There are many ways actually, but biologically, there is no predator yet. Chemically, it also has issues with the environment. Conventional methods like this are the most effective so far,” he said.
Haeru expressed readiness to coordinate with local governments to suppress the invasive sailfin catfish population. The abundance of sailfin catfish threatens the existence of other fish.