Residents Enthusiastically Welcome Plan for Incentives in Catching Sailfin Catfish in East Jakarta

JAKARTA — The East Jakarta City Government’s plan to provide incentives to residents helping with operations to catch sailfin catfish has been positively welcomed by the community. Residents believe the policy can help increase their income while encouraging the control of the fish population, which is considered a pest in river flows. Tedy (53), one of the residents who often catches sailfin catfish, hopes the plan will be realised soon to help meet daily needs. Tedy revealed that he has been catching sailfin catfish in the Ciliwung River flow for about 15 years. According to him, every day he can obtain up to 100 kilograms of fish. He explained that the sailfin catfish obtained are usually sold to collectors to be processed into food ingredients or animal feed such as for ducks and catfish. “It’s 100 kilograms big, but we only sell 30 grams of meat for Rp 15,000-Rp 20,000 per kilogram. If we sell it raw per fish, no one wants it. It has to be in the form of meat to be sold,” Tedy clarified. He assessed that the incentive plan would make it easier for residents who have had to process the sailfin catfish before selling it. “It’s better that way (incentive), we don’t get tired of cutting, right? We don’t get tired of filleting, tired of cutting, so the system is direct burial.” Tedy explained. Previously, the East Jakarta City Government planned to provide incentives to residents helping with sailfin catfish capture operations. “For the community that carries out the catching (of sailfin catfish), later it can or cannot be replaced with a value, financial like that,” explained East Jakarta Mayor Munjirin. Munjirin said his side is coordinating with several parties regarding the incentive provision plan. In addition to cleaning sailfin catfish from canals in the East Jakarta area, they will also monitor the circulation of sailfin catfish so it is not processed into food. He also urged the public not to utilise or consume sailfin catfish.