BANGKOK, Thailand – A group of farmers from 19 provinces, severely impacted by the spread of black-gill fish, dumped two tons of the invasive species outside Gate 5 of Government House. This action followed their submission of a formal letter to the government, urging immediate action to address the ongoing issues caused by this alien species. The infestation, which has been affecting local ecosystems and the livelihoods of aquatic farmers for 13 years, continues to worsen.
The protesting farmers have demanded the following actions from the government:
- Establish a committee to investigate those responsible for the spread of black-gill fish.
- Eradicate black-gill fish within one year.
- Declare a disaster zone to provide compensation for those affected.
- Take legal action against those who have caused ecological damage.
The farmers highlighted that the black-gill fish problem has expanded beyond local control and is now having widespread impacts. Despite previous government declarations about addressing the issue, the problem persists. Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives allocated 12 million baht for another round of black-gill fish removal, but millions of tons of the fish remain in the wild, still unaddressed. (TNA)
