Misplaced compassion for invasive fish species

Thiruvananthapuram: Compassionate hearts are seen feeding African catfish (African mushi) in temple ponds without knowing that it is an invasive species. It is an active predator, which has almost replaced several native fish species in our water bodies.

Such exotic species as African catfish, sucker catfish and tilapia will be the focus of the ‘International conference on aquatic exotics: Trends, challenges and policies’ which will start  at Senate chamber on Monday. One of the objectives of the conference is to learn from experiences in various parts of India.

For,  it is not easy to manage these. Ask the faculty at Kerala University of Fisheries and Oceanic Studies, who were looking at ways to eliminate the African catfish from water bodies. Its elimination was important as it invaded Periyar Tiger Reserve, which has seven critically endangered species endemic to the reserve. Mr Rajeev Raghavan, assistant professor at the university, says,  “the normal fishing nets are not sufficient as African catfish is very difficult to catch. So we had to resort to angling, which was physically demanding.”

The project was conducted with the help of forest department officials. However, the culling of invasive species in reservoirs which come under forest department is very difficult, according to Mr A.Biju Kumar, head, department of aquatic biology and fisheries. “There should be provision to cull aquatic invasive species which pose ecological and economic damage in the Wildlife (Protection) Act of India,” he said.

Apart from experts in the field, policy-makers will be part of the event to be organised by the department of aquatic biology & fisheries, University of Kerala. National Biodiversity Authority chairman B, Meenakumari will inaugurate the three-day conference.

Other dignitaries to attend the event are K. Venkataraman, former director, Zoological Survey of India, K.R. Salin,  school of environment, resources and development, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, Oommen V. Oommen, chairman, Kerala State Biodiversity Board, and N. Veeramanikandan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Kerala.