BANGKOK, July 25 (TNA) – Thai agribusiness giant Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) on Thursday disclosed a detailed timeline of its 2010 import of black chin tilapia, asserting compliance with fisheries regulations amid concerns over the species’ outbreak in Thailand.
CPF’s Chief Research and Development Officer for Aquaculture, Premsak Vanachsunthorn, explained the company imported 2,000 fingerlings from Ghana on December 22, 2010, but the project was scrapped within 16 days due to high mortality rates. Only 600 fish survived initially.
By January 6, 2011, only 50 fish remained alive. CPF decided to terminate the project, using chlorine to destroy the remaining fish. The fish remains were buried on January 7, 2011. CPF followed the Fisheries Department’s guidelines for the destruction and submission of samples, informing the department of the fish deaths.
In 2017, reports of Blackchin tilapia in Samut Songkhram prompted the Fisheries Department to inspect the Yisan Farm in Amphawa. While no Blackchin tilapia were found in the ponds, natural water sources connected to the farm did contain such fish.
Premsak reaffirmed that CPF had ceased all Blackchin tilapia research since January 2011. To address public concerns and support government efforts, CPF has implemented five key initiatives to address the issue.
The company is collaborating with the Fisheries Department to purchase 2 million kilograms of Blackchin tilapia from affected provinces at 15 baht per kilogram.
Additionally, CPF is supporting the release of 200,000 predator fish into water bodies in line with Fisheries Department guidelines. The company is also providing fishing equipment and manpower in affected areas.
In a bid to find alternative uses for the fish, CPF is partnering with three universities to develop food products from Blackchin tilapia.
Lastly, the company is conducting research with experts from Kasetsart University and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang on long-term population control methods for Blackchin tilapia. -819 (TNA)
