The Jakarta Food Security, Maritime, and Agriculture Agency (KPKP) recorded that 68,880 suckermouth catfish were successfully caught during a simultaneous operation across five administrative regions last Friday (4/17). The total catch weighed 6,979.5 kilograms, or approximately 6.98 tons.

According to the data, the largest catch was located in South Jakarta, with 63,600 fish equivalent to 5,300 kilograms, sourced from the Setu Babakan area.

Meanwhile, East Jakarta produced 4,128 fish weighing 825.5 kilograms from 10 sub-districts.

Further, in Central Jakarta, 536 fish weighing 565 kilograms were caught across seven sub-districts. North Jakarta recorded 545 fish weighing 271 kilograms in West Kelapa Gading, while West Jakarta recorded 71 fish weighing 17 kilograms in the Anak TSI River.

Jakarta KPKP Agency Head, Hasudungan Sisabalok said, this activity is part of the government's ongoing efforts to maintain the balance of aquatic ecosystems. He stated, the suckermouth catfish is an invasive species that can disrupt natural habitats if its population remains uncontrolled.

"We conduct these capture operations regularly and in a coordinated manner across the five administrative cities. The objective is to control the suckermouth catfish population, which has the potential to damage aquatic ecosystems and threaten the sustainability of native fish species," he expressed, Monday (4/20).

He explained that this measure aligns with various environmental conservation efforts undertaken by the Jakarta government, including the revitalization of rivers, reservoirs, and lakes to create healthier and more sustainable living environments.

He also expressed appreciation for the involvement of various stakeholders, from local government officials and field officers to community members. According to him, collaboration is key to maintaining the quality of Jakarta’s aquatic environment.

"We encourage the public to continue supporting environmental conservation efforts. Healthy waterways impact not only the ecosystem but also the overall quality of life for all residents," he explained.

Previously, the KPKP agency had also carried out similar activities across various locations as part of its invasive species control program.

"These efforts are expected to maintain ecosystem balance while simultaneously raising public awareness regarding the importance of protecting aquatic environments," he concluded.