THANJAVUR: As the African catfish (clarias gariepinus) is a threat to native fish
species, Thanjavur district
collector has asked the farmers and traders not to rear or sell the fish as there is a ban in India.
Along with agriculture, farmers are engaging in freshwater aquaculture
in the district. Most of them have been rearing Indian species such as catla
, rohu, mrigal, kenndai and other varieties like genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT). They are also making reasonable income out of it.
Meanwhile, the Union government has imposed a ban on farming of African catfish as the species poses a threat to native varieties. According to the fisheries department, it also polluted the water bodies, impacting the environmental, a release from district collector A Annathurai said.
The species was found to thrive well in the freshwater lakes, rivers, swamps and urban sewage systems. The voracious predator feeds on living and dead animal matter, including fish. Its ability to survive in shallow mud for long periods of time, high tolerance to poorly oxygenated water and fast breeding gives it an edge over other native species.
Despite a ban imposed by the union government, farming of catfish continues in the district. “The predator species should be immediately eradicated from all the freshwater aquaculture farming. If anyone is found rearing or selling the species, stringent action would be initiated against the erring person,” Annathurai further stated in a release.
LOK SABHA ELECTION RESULT 2019