Bangkok, Governor Chadchart coordinates with the Department of Fisheries to implement 6 measures to eliminate black-chinned tilapia, fearing that it will affect farmers' income. It was found that there was an outbreak in 3 districts of Bangkok. Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, along with Mr. Sanon Wangsrangboon, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Mr. Natcha Boonchaiinsawat, Member of Parliament for Bang Khun Thian District, executives of the Bang Khun Thian District Office, representatives of the Department of Fisheries, and relevant persons, visited the area to monitor the outbreak of the black-chinned tilapia in Bang Khun Thian District. Governor Chadchart said that today he came to inspect the situation of the spread of the black-chinned tilapia, which has been occurring for some time, spreading from Samut Songkhram Province. The outbreak in Bangkok that has now reached Bang Khun Thian, Thung Khru, and Bang Bon districts, where there are approximately 900 farmers who are engaged in aquatic animal farming, shrimp farms, and fish farms. The spread of the black-chinned tilapia, which reproduces very quickly and is resistant to the environment, and eats small fish and fish eggs as food, has caused great suffering to farmers and will have a chain effect on other industries, not just farmers. Bangkok must urgently coordinate cooperation from all agencies to solve this problem. Mr. Sarayut Metinapitak, Head of Fisheries Management Group, Department of Fisheries, said that the Department of Fisheries has summarized 6 measures to solve the problem: Measure 1: Control and eliminate black-chinned tilapia in all water sources where the outbreak is found, and develop fishing tools that are effective in eliminating black-chinned tilapia. Measure 2: Eliminate black-chinned tilapia in natural water sources by releasing predatory fish such as sea bass. Measure 3: Utilize black-chinned tilapia that have been eliminated from the ecosystem. Measure 4: Survey and monitor the distribution of black-chinned tilapia populati ons in buffer zones, surveying provinces with waterways connected to provinces with outbreaks to monitor. Measure 5: Create knowledge, awareness, and participation from both the public and private sectors in eliminating black-chinned tilapia to prevent and prepare for the outbreak. Measure 6: Monitor and evaluate. This includes using research results and technology to solve the problem, such as producing sterile fish to release into water sources to breed with black-chinned tilapia in nature to make them sterile and unable to reproduce. Governor Chadchart concluded that Bangkok is working closely with the Department of Fisheries and must find ways to compensate affected farmers because their businesses have been severely damaged, with incomes falling tenfold. In solving the problem, Bangkok must listen to the Department of Fisheries as its main expert, and continuously monitor the situation. Although the outbreak has now spread to three districts of Bangkok, it is likely to spread further. Many parties must cooperate to solve the problem for Bangkokians as best as possible. Source: Thai News Agency