Blackchin Tilapia Invasion of Lam Pao Dam

MGR Online•Society•10d ago

Reader Briefing

Academics warn that the spread of invasive Blackchin Tilapia into Lam Pao Dam in Kalasin Province is a human-caused crisis threatening the Mekong Basin ecosystem.

•Blackchin Tilapia have been confirmed in Lam Pao Dam, Kalasin Province.
•Experts conclude the spread is caused by human activity, either intentionally or unintentionally through aquaculture contamination.
•The infestation threatens the biodiversity of the Mekong Basin and potential spread to Chi and Mun rivers.
•A meeting of fisheries academics was held on September 10 at Kalasin University.

Overview

•On September 10, a small group meeting of fisheries academics was held at the Fisheries Technology Department, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Kalasin University.
•Blackchin Tilapia, an alien species that previously caused damage in Samut Songkhram and southern provinces, have been confirmed present in Lam Pao Dam, Kalasin Province.
•Asst. Prof. Dr. Chainarong Setthachue stated the spread is due to human action because dams along the Mekong prevent fish from swimming upstream to Lam Pao Dam on their own.
•Dr. Kasem Chetwan identified two groups of human behavior causing the spread: intentional release by some individuals and unintentional contamination from aquaculture hatcheries.
•Lam Pao Dam has a catchment area of over 5,000 square kilometers, facilitating the easy dispersal of the fish.
•The species acts as both a predator and a breeder, with high survival rates and the ability to reproduce every month.
•Dr. Kasem Chetwan warned that without urgent control, the infestation will flow from Lam Pao Dam to Ban Pao Don in Rong Kham District, then to the Chi River, Lam Sebai, and the Mun River.
•Dr. Kasem Chetwan proposed mobilizing local fishing communities around Lam Pao Dam and along the Chi, Sebai, and Mun rivers to monitor and report new outbreaks to government agencies.

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Key Quotes

Asst. Prof. Dr. Chainarong Setthachue

"This is the most dangerous signal of the year because it is a cross-basin outbreak, which may affect the biodiversity of the Mekong Basin where over 60 million people rely directly."

นี่คือสัญญาณอันตรายที่สุดในรอบปี เพราะเป็นการแพร่ระบาดข้ามลุ่มน้ำ ซึ่งอาจกระทบต่อความหลากหลายทางชีวภาพในลุ่มน้ำโขงที่มีประชากรกว่า 60 ล้านคน พึ่งพาอาศัยอยู่โดยตรง

Dr. Kasem Chetwan

"An interesting egg-hatching behavior is that although the male keeps eggs in its mouth to oxygenate them, it must regurgitate some eggs when searching for food."

พฤติกรรมการฟักไข่ที่น่าสนใจว่า แม้ตัวผู้จะอมไข่ไว้ในปากเพื่อฟอกออกซิเจนตลอดเวลา แต่เมื่อต้องหาอาหารกินก็จำเป็นต้องสำรอกไข่ออกมาบางส่วน

Key Entities

Organization

Blackchin Tilapia(ปลาหมอคางดำ)

An invasive alien species causing biological disaster in various Thai water basins.

Kalasin University(มหาวิทยาลัยกาฬสินธุ์)ℹ️

The institution housing the Fisheries Technology Department where the academic meeting took place.

Mahasarakham University(มหาวิทยาลัยมหาสารคาม)ℹ️

The university where Asst. Prof. Dr. Chainarong Setthachue is an academic.

Kalasin Provincial Fisheries Committee(คณะกรรมการประมงประจำจังหวัดกาฬสินธุ์)

The provincial committee for fisheries in Kalasin where Dr. Kasem Chetwan serves as a qualified member.

Place

Lam Pao Dam(เขื่อนลำปาว)

A dam in Kalasin Province and a key connection point to the Mekong Basin.

Kalasin Province(จังหวัดกาฬสินธุ์)ℹ️

The province where Lam Pao Dam is located.

Mekong Basin(ลุ่มน้ำโขง)ℹ️

A regional water system supporting over 60 million people and threatened by the Blackchin Tilapia invasion.

Samut Songkhram Province(จังหวัดสมุทรสงคราม)ℹ️

A province where Blackchin Tilapia previously caused heavy damage to the ecosystem and fishing livelihoods.

Chi River(ลำน้ำชี)ℹ️

A river at risk of further infestation from Lam Pao Dam.

Lam Sebai(ลำเซบาย)

A watercourse at risk of infestation following the Chi River.

Mun River(ลำน้ำมูล)ℹ️

A river at risk of infestation following the Chi River and Lam Sebai.

Ban Pao Don, Rong Kham District(บ้านเป้าโดน อำเภอร่องคำ)

The specific location where the infestation is expected to flow from Lam Pao Dam into the Chi River.

Person

Asst. Prof. Dr. Chainarong Setthachue(ผศ.ดร.ไชยณรงค์ เศรษฐเชื้อ)

An academic from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Mahasarakham University.

Dr. Kasem Chetwan(ดร.เกษม เชตวัน)

A lecturer at Kalasin University and a qualified member of the Kalasin Provincial Fisheries Committee.