The issue was raised by local members of the environmental group Monsoon Garbage Thailand through a post on their Facebook page, noting the ecological damage the fish could do if the species began to populate in waters around Phuket.
The blackchin tilapia is a species of cichlid native to coastal west Africa, which has been introduced to Asia and North America, where it is now considered an invasive species.
Acting on their concerns, the Monsoon Garbage members in Phuket bought 20kg of the fish being sold at local markets and handed the catch over to Phuket MP Chalermpong Sangdee, who in turn delivered it to the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Office.
Phuket Fisheries Chief Prayot Rattanawan explained yesterday (July 29) that the decision was made to bury the fish to keep their remains away from any local waters.
"We were notified by MP Chalermpong that blackchin tilapia were being sold in Phuket. The concern is that live fish or fish with viable eggs could be accidentally released into local water bodies, causing ecological harm,” Mr Prayot said.
“We decided to bury the fish to ensure they do not pose a risk to the ecosystem,” he added.
The 20kg of fish had been imported to Phuket by a vendor in Samut Sakhon, Mr Prayot noted.
MP Chalermpong echoed the concerns, emphasising the potential danger to Phuket’s ecosystem.
“A social media group reported a vendor selling blackchin tilapia at B50 per kilogramme in Phuket. The Monsoon Garbage group purchased the fish and handed them over to us for destruction,” he explained.
“We urge all vendors and residents not to import or consume blackchin tilapia in Phuket, as these fish could become an invasive species and disrupt our local ecosystem. If these fish must be brought in, they should be processed, such as dried or salted, to eliminate any risk," he said.
The Fisheries Office and MP Chalermpong are also working with the Department of Fisheries to establish regulations to prevent the import of live or potentially harmful fish species into Phuket, he added.
The aim is to ensure that only processed fish products that pose no risk to the local environment are allowed, MP Chalermpong noted.