Bangkok: The Minister of Agriculture orders the Fisheries Department to launch a hunting operation. 'Black-chinned cichlids,' an invasive foreign species or alien species, will be piloted to kick off 5 provinces, hoping to eradicate them completely. After approximately 12 years of continuous outbreaks, black-chinned cichlids can be consumed. Prepare to coordinate animal food as well. Captain Thammanat Phromphao, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, presided over the 'opening of an operation to solve the problem of the spread of black-chinned cichlid fish that affects the ecosystem in natural water sources' at Wat Srisuttharam (Orphan Temple), Bang Ya Phraek Subdistrict. Mueang District, Samut Sakhon Province, Captain Thammanat Phromphao, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, presided over the "opening of operations to solve the problem of the spread of black-chinned cichlids that affect the ecosystem in natural water sources" with Mr. Woranat Than Noorot, Deputy Governor of Samut Sakhon Province, al so attended the ceremony. For the pilot black-chinned cichlid extermination operation in 5 provinces: Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Samut Prakan, Phetchaburi and Bangkok provinces to control and eliminate the black-chin cichlid population in natural water sources because they are invasive species or alien species that have been found to spread for a long time. It affects the productivity in farmers' aquaculture ponds and has a severe impact on the ecosystem. Captain Thammanat said The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives must take decisive measures to protect farmers' aquatic animal products and the country's fisheries resources. In the past, the Fisheries Department has appointed a committee to solve the problem of the spread of black-chin cichlid fish. To plan and determine measures to control, prevent and solve problems. The Fisheries Department must create a network of fishermen and farmers to eradicate black-chinned cichlids with effective and appropriate fishing tools by using "running nets". Mr . Bancha Sukkaew, Director-General of the Fisheries Department, said that Currently, there are reports of outbreaks of black-chinned cichlids in water sources in 13 provinces, including: Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Samut Prakan, Phetchaburi, Bangkok, Chanthaburi, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla. Outbreaks of black-chin cichlids damage the production in farmers' aquaculture ponds and have a severe impact on the ecosystem. This is because it is a fish that has adapted to the environment and can tolerate changes in the salinity of the water well. The Director-General of the Department of Fisheries said about the use of "run nets" to exterminate black-chinned cichlids that "run nets" are classified as fishing tools that are prohibited from being used or possessed according to Section 67 (4) of the Fisheries Royal Ordinance. B.E. 2015 and additional amendments But because it is a highly effective fishing tool, it was chosen to solve the problem o f the spread of black-chinned cichlids. The Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives has issued an announcement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on the criteria, methods and conditions for requesting permission to grant permission to use certain types of fishing gear in 2024 to allow the use of nets with a rod size of not more than 16 meters, do not attach chains, but can be weighted by attaching a weight attached to the lower rope. The size of the entire net must not be less than 3 centimeters. In Samut Sakhon Province, permission has been given to use trawl nets to eliminate black-chinned cichlids only in areas along the sea coast of Samut Sakhon Province. Only around the mouth of the Tha Chin River, Howling Dog Canal, and Pittayalongkorn Canal. It must be under the control and supervision of officials assigned by the provincial governor. In addition, there is a provincial fisheries committee planning to supervise and monitor. and report the results of operations to the Fisheries Departme nt. It comes into effect from January 26 and ends on December 31, 2024. Captain Thammanat presented a symbolic flag to the fishermen's network. Ready to release a convoy of 23 fishing boats to operate in the Tha Chin River. At the same time, 20,000 sea bass were released, which is a predatory fish in waters where the epidemic has been found, to control and reduce the population of small black-chinned cichlids found in the wild and escaping into ponds. farmer Including the release of 40,000 sea bass species through the online system simultaneously in pilot areas in 4 provinces via the online system, namely 1. Lat Peng Temple, Nang Takhian Subdistrict, Mueang District, Samut Songkhram Province 2. Pratunam Ban Khlong Suan Ban Khlong Suan Subdistrict Phra Samut Chedi District Samut Prakan Province 3. Klong Ead fishing pier Laem Phak Bia Subdistrict Ban Laem District Phetchaburi Province 4. Wat Pracha Bamrung, Tha Kham Subdistrict, Bang Khun Thian District Bangkok The Fisheries Department is currently drafti ng measures and operations to solve the problem of the black-chinned cichlid epidemic. To increase efficiency in controlling, preventing and eliminating the black chin cichlid population. Both short term and long term By controlling the invasion of black chin cichlids in areas where the invasion has already been found. Ready to monitor, evaluate and prevent invasion of black chin cichlids in areas that have not yet been invaded. In addition, the law has been enforced with the participation of relevant network partners. To increase efficiency in controlling, preventing and eliminating the spread of black chin cichlids in both farmer ponds and natural water sources with the participation of all sectors. Able to restore and manage ecosystems to be abundant and sustainable. To benefit the community in creating careers, income, and stability of fisheries resources in the area. For black chin cichlids The Fisheries Department has given permission to a private individual to import from the Republic of Ghana. Africa in order to develop tilapia species with conditions After that, in 2012, it was found in natural water sources for the first time. Later, aquatic farmers in Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi provinces complained to the National Human Rights Commission that Affected by the proliferation of black-chinned cichlids, which the Fisheries Department is the respondent for allowing private companies to import them for breeding experiments. Later in 2018, an announcement was issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on specifying the types of aquatic animals that are prohibited from being imported, exported, transited or cultivated. Effective from 19 March 2018, there are 3 types of aquatic animals according to the announcement that no person may import, export, transit or breed unless permission is received from the Director-General of the Department of Fisheries. or is a person assigned by the Director-General of the Fisheries Department, including: 1. Black-chinned cichlid Sarotherodon melanotheron RÜpp ell,1852 2. Mayan cichlid Cichlasoma urophthalmus (GÜnther,1862) 3. Butter fish Heterotilapia buttikoferi (Hubrecht,1881) According to the announcement, there are important guidelines including: 1. In the case of farmers raising all 3 types of fish in aquaculture ponds Please quickly bring the fish and hand it over to the officials. Department of Fisheries urgently 2. In the case where people fish and catch these 3 types of fish in natural water sources. People can consume or sell. But the fish should be killed before being sold. 3. In the case where three types of natural fish accidentally escape into a farmer's culture pond. Farmers can use it for consumption or sale. But the fish should be killed before being sold. 4. In the case of government agencies educational institution Or in any other necessary cases where all 3 types of fish are grown for research and government use, please notify and request permission from the Fisheries Department. 5. No one is strictly allowed to release all 3 types of fish into the aquatic holding area. Due to an offense under Section 144 of the Fisheries Act 2015 As for the punishment, if anyone is found violating Section 64 or Section 65, paragraph two, he or she will be punished according to Section 144, imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding one million baht, or both. In the case where an offender according to paragraph one releases aquatic animals in a fishing ground, he or she shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding two million baht, or both.-512-Thai News Agency Source: Thai News Agency