Thailand allocates 350 million baht to combat blackchin tilapia spread

Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has convened 29 agencies to address the spreading infestation of blackchin tilapia, which has now reached the Lam Pao Dam in Kalasin province. Deputy Minister Wacharaphol Khaokham announced that the meeting aimed to integrate efforts to systematically control the invasive species, which is considered a national agenda.

The meeting approved the use of approximately 350 million baht from the central budget to implement seven existing measures established by the Department of Fisheries. Additionally, the Department of Fisheries has allocated 15 million baht for immediate urgent actions, specifically targeting the situation at Lam Pao Dam to prevent the species from spreading to connected water routes in provinces such as Udon Thani.

Authorities are also investigating the cause of the spread, with legal teams looking for those responsible for the introduction of the fish into new areas. The government aims to accelerate these measures immediately rather than waiting for existing legal timeframes to expire.