Wednesday October 15, 2025
Bangkok Post —
About 7,300 tonnes of invasive blackchin tilapia have been removed from natural water sources and aquaculture ponds across 19 affected provinces, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Capt Thamanat Prompow said.
Capt Thamanat, who’s also a deputy prime minister, announced on Tuesday that the eradication campaign, led by the Department of Fisheries in coordination with various agencies, is based on seven comprehensive measures to relieve the burden on fish farmers and halt the species’ rapid spread.
Prachin Buri and Phatthalung provinces have now completely eradicated the species, while the number of affected provinces has dropped from 19 to 17, according to Capt Thamanat.
Of these, nine are now classified as low-density areas (fewer than 10 fish per 100 sqm), namely Chachoengsao, Nonthaburi, Bangkok, Samut Songkhram, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Surat Thani, and Songkhla.
Eight others reported having moderate species prevalence: Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Rayong, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumpon, and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
To further strengthen ecological recovery, the Department of Fisheries has released over 1.13 million predator fish compatible with local ecosystems, helping to naturally control any remaining blackchin tilapia populations.
Working with agencies such as the Rubber Authority of Thailand and the Land Development Department, the Department of Fisheries has also turned eradicated fish into valuable resources, he said. Nearly 5,000 tonnes were processed into bio-fermented water for rubber farming, and over 2,000 tonnes were converted into fishmeal for animal feed, generating more than 34 million baht in value.
Thitiporn Laoprasert, acting director-general of the Department of Fisheries, added that under the Blackchin Tilapia Outbreak Mitigation Action Plan, continuous monitoring will ensure sustainable control.
For fiscal year 2025, the department aims to release over 78 million aquatic animals to revive biodiversity.