South Jakarta City Government to Hunt Plecostomus Fish in Setu Babakan Connecting Channel
The South Jakarta City Government (Pemkot Jaksel) will hunt plecostomus fish in the Setu Babakan connecting channel in Jagakarsa. The activity is scheduled for tomorrow.
“Tomorrow, the planned operation to capture plecostomus fish will take place simultaneously across DKI Jakarta. For the South Jakarta area, it will be carried out in the Setu Babakan connecting channel,” said Head of the Fisheries Section of the South Jakarta Food Security, Maritime Affairs, and Agriculture Sub-Department (Sudin KPKP) Arief Prakoso when contacted on Thursday (16/4/2026).
Arief explained that the plecostomus hunt will begin tomorrow at 8:00 AM WIB. The captured plecostomus fish will then be destroyed by burial.
“Then, around 9:30 AM WIB, the destruction and burial of the captured plecostomus fish will be carried out,” he clarified.
Arief stated that the plecostomus hunting activity will involve several agencies, including the South Jakarta Sudin KPKP, the DKI Jakarta Centre for Production Inspection and Certification of Fishery Products (PPISHP), the South Jakarta Water Resources Sub-Department (Sudin SDA), the Cleaning Implementation Unit (UPK) of the DKI Jakarta Environmental Agency’s Water Body Division, Srengseng Sawah Sub-District Public Facilities and Infrastructure Handling Officers (PPSU) in Jagakarsa District, and the Setu Babakan Betawi Cultural Village Area Management Unit (UPK PBB).
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung previously instructed the simultaneous cleaning of plecostomus fish across the five administrative cities in the Jakarta Province. The action is scheduled for next Friday.
“Day after tomorrow, on Friday morning, all five cities in Jakarta will simultaneously conduct plecostomus fish cleaning activities,” said Pramono at Jakarta City Hall on Wednesday (15/4).
Pramono explained that plecostomus fish not only disrupt the environment but are also dangerous if consumed. Based on laboratory test results, the levels of hazardous substances in the fish exceed safe limits.
“From the lab results, the limit is 0.3 milligrams. This fish exceeds that, so it is dangerous if consumed. There is lead and others,” he said.
Additionally, plecostomus fish damage the structure of aquatic environments. Pramono stated that the fish create holes in embankments and riverbanks, potentially damaging infrastructure.
“This fish destroys embankments and riverbanks. It also eats our local fish, even their eggs,” he explained.
Pramono noted that plecostomus is an invasive species originating from South America and has become a problem in various countries. In its native habitat, the fish is controlled due to its harmful impacts.
“This fish can live in all conditions, including very unhealthy water. Even in its home country, it is already an issue,” he said.
The Jakarta Provincial Government is not only focusing on removing plecostomus fish but also on cleaning sediment and repairing waterways simultaneously. Pramono emphasised that this step is an effort to reduce the plecostomus population in Jakarta’s waters to maintain ecological balance.
“So this activity is not solely for the plecostomus fish, but also for removing sediment and repairing waterways,” he added.