Pramono Supports Mass Capture of Plecostomus Fish in Jakarta River

Governor of DKI Jakarta, Pramono Anung, has approved the action to capture plecostomus fish, which has recently been carried out in several rivers in Jakarta. According to him, the population of this fish needs to be controlled because it can disrupt the balance of the aquatic ecosystem.

Therefore, he appreciates the massive efforts undertaken by the city government apparatus and field officers to capture the fish.

“I approve if it is done on a massive scale to reduce plecostomus fish. What was done by the PPSU and the Central Jakarta Mayor yesterday, the DKI Jakarta Government gives its appreciation,” said Pramono at Lapangan Banteng, Central Jakarta, on Saturday (11/4) as quoted by detik.com.

Pramono stated that plecostomus is a species from South America that has an extraordinary ability to survive.

“Indeed, this fish migrated from South America, its survival ability is extraordinary, it can eat anything,” he said.

He assessed that the invasive nature of plecostomus makes its presence a threat to local fish in Jakarta’s rivers. If not controlled, the population of this fish is feared to dominate the habitat and disrupt the food chain.

“If left unchecked, other fish like wader and so on could disappear,” he said.

Pramono also highlighted the potential danger if plecostomus is consumed. According to him, the fish’s habit of eating anything makes its flesh at risk of being contaminated with harmful substances.

“Because it eats anything, its flesh has the potential to contain contamination from harmful substances,” he explained.

The plecostomus capture operation was previously conducted in Kali Cideng, right in front of Plaza Indonesia, Menteng, Central Jakarta. The activity involved 100 combined personnel from the DKI Jakarta Food Security, Maritime, and Agriculture Service (KPKP) to the Central Jakarta Gulkarmat.

In that operation, officers captured 41 large-sized plecostomus fish deemed to disrupt the river ecosystem.

Head of the DKI Jakarta KPKP Service, Hasudungan A Sidabalok, said the capture was part of efforts to suppress the spread of invasive species in Jakarta’s rivers. He added that similar steps had previously been taken in Kali Ciliwung.