Rano Karno to Emulate Brazil's Method of Utilising Plecostomus Fish, Processed into Charcoal

Jakarta - Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Rano Karno, has stated that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will adopt the method of eliminating and utilising plecostomus fish implemented in Brazil. This step is being taken after the method of burying the plecostomus fish while alive drew criticism for being inhumane, including from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI). Rano explained that in Brazil, plecostomus fish are not only eliminated but also processed into other more beneficial products, one of which is a charcoal-like material. He revealed that his side has asked the DKI Jakarta Environmental Agency (LH) to study the possibility of applying that method in Jakarta. According to Rano, the plecostomus fish problem also occurs in Brazil, but that country is able to manage its impact with a technological approach. “It turns out that plecostomus fish also became a problem in Brazil, but it turns out it can become another component. It can even become charcoal. Well, yesterday I sent it to the environmental agency. Let’s try to make it like this,” he said. Rano also revealed that in the simultaneous plecostomus fish capture operation carried out in five areas of Jakarta on Friday (17/4/2026), they did not expect the amount of fish caught to be very large, reaching 6.98 tonnes in one day. “That means yesterday was the first time. We were also shocked, Iho. The amount of plecostomus fish caught, several tonnes, shocked us,” he said. However, the Provincial Government will evaluate the elimination method used so as not to cause controversy in society. “The elimination system will be improved to be better and appropriate,” Rano said.