Jakarta Government Captures 6.9 Tons Of Suckermouth Catfish Across Five Regions

Jakarta, MINA – The Jakarta Provincial Government completed an operation to clean waterways and rivers across five administrative cities to curb the population of invasive fish species. As quoted from Babel Insight on Monday, The activity resulted in the capture of thousands of suckermouth catfish (ikan sapu-sapu) that dominate the capital’s waters.

Data from the operation showed that 68,800 suckermouth catfish with a total weight of 6.98 tons were successfully removed from the water.

Head of the Jakarta Food Security, Maritime, and Agriculture Agency (KPKP), Hasudungan A. Sidabalok, confirmed the large volume of fish collected by officers in less than half a day.

“The fish catch obtained reached 6.98 tons,” said Hasudungan A. Sidabalok.

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This control measure prompted a response from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) regarding the eradication method used in the field. The Secretary of the MUI Fatwa Commission, KH Miftahul Huda, noted ethical aspects and animal welfare principles in the process.

“This suckermouth catfish aligns with maqasid shariah; it falls into the modern ecological dharuriyyat (necessity) category,” said Miftahul Huda.

Miftah added that while controlling invasive species is permitted to preserve the environment, the method of killing animals must still consider humanitarian aspects and avoid causing suffering.

In response to the input, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated the government’s readiness to adjust eradication procedures to remain aligned with ethical principles.

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“Regarding the question, there were suggestions and criticism from MUI; I will ask the experts to adjust the procedure,” said Pramono Anung.

Pramono emphasized that this step is crucial because the dominance of the suckermouth catfish in Jakarta’s aquatic biota has been reported to exceed 70 percent.

“Indeed, this suckermouth catfish in Jakarta’s aquatic biota has exceeded 60 percent. Even the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries reported over 70 percent,” said Pramono Anung.

To anticipate further ecosystem damage, the Jakarta Provincial Government plans to deploy Public Facility and Infrastructure Handling (PPSU) officers regularly to carry out periodic cleanups.

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“If not, then Jakarta’s aquatic ecosystem will definitely be damaged,” said Pramono Anung.

Meanwhile, fish expert from IPB University, Charles PH Simanjuntak, provided technical insights into more effective and sustainable control methods for public waters.

“The most effective method is to combine several approaches in an integrated manner, ranging from prevention, capture, to biological control,” said Charles PH Simanjuntak.

Charles explained that the main challenge lies in the fish’s very high reproductive capacity, where a single female can produce up to 19,000 eggs in one cycle with a survival rate above 90 percent.[]

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Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)