Jakarta’s Battle Against Invasive Suckerfish

Jakarta officials say eradicating invasive suckermouth catfish from the city’s waterways remains a significant challenge, despite ongoing removal efforts. The Jakarta Provincial Fisheries, Livestock, and Food Security Office (KPKP DKI) acknowledged that manually extracting the fish one by one is proving hard due to their rapid reproduction and widespread presence in rivers and canals. The suckermouth catfish, locally known as ikan sapu-sapu, has grow a growing ecological concern in Jakarta. Authorities warn that the species disrupts native aquatic ecosystems by outcompeting local fish for resources and damaging riverbanks through burrowing behavior. In response, Jakarta’s acting governor, Pramono Anung, has directed the preparation of a specialized Fish Eradication Task Force Unit (PPSU) to intensify control operations. The unit will focus on coordinated removal strategies across affected waterways, including major canals and tributaries where infestations are most severe. Religious authorities have also weighed in on the matter. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issued a statement clarifying that burying live suckermouth catfish, even as part of eradication efforts, does not align with Islamic principles regarding the treatment of living creatures. The council urged officials to adopt more humane methods in line with religious teachings. Environmental monitors continue to track the spread of the fish, particularly in upstream areas where early detection could help prevent further colonization. Experts stress that long-term management will require sustained public cooperation, improved monitoring, and integrated approaches combining physical removal with public awareness campaigns. Even as complete eradication may take years, officials maintain that reducing the population to ecologically manageable levels remains a priority for protecting Jakarta’s freshwater biodiversity.