The fisheries and livestock ministry of Bangladesh has banned the breeding, cultivation, conservation and distribution of the ‘malicious’ suckermouth catfish. Nevertheless, some consultants recommend various makes use of to take advantage of its financial potential
It isn’t unusual to identify a pair or extra of black armoured fish– often called suckermouth catfish– in aquariums, sticking to the glass and sucking algae. Imported into Bangladesh within the Nineteen Eighties as each a decorative and aquarium-cleaning fish, the suckermouth catfish (Hypostomus plecostomus) has now turn into a critical concern for native fisheries and aquaculture.
It’s exhausting to establish how and when this aquarium fish was first launched into the pure water our bodies of Bangladesh, nevertheless it now dominates the breeding grounds of many pure and aquacultured fish. This actuality was inevitable because the suckermouth catfish are aggressive invaders and omnivorous fish. Consequently, regardless of originating in northern South America, they’re current in no less than 17 nations in Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Attributable to their fast progress and longevity, suckermouth catfish can quickly monopolise the nutrient sources of a water physique, thus endangering different native fishes. In consideration of the invasive nature of the species, on 11 January this 12 months, the fisheries and livestock ministry of Bangladesh banned the breeding, cultivation, conservation and distribution of the ‘malicious’ suckermouth catfish.
Will this ban really assist cease the development of the ‘profitable invaders’? The involved ministry has requested that residents destroy suckermouth catfish colonies following the motto: ‘Kill and bury the carcasses.’ It’s related in nature to the way in which a rat culling programme would function.
However, some fisheries consultants have instructed extra analysis on the actual species to take advantage of the financial potential of its various utilization.
Previous to the ban on the suckermouth catfish, a examine was performed by the Bangladesh Fisheries Analysis Institute (BFRI). In line with the examine revealed on 5 June 2022, this freshwater species can thrive in brackish in addition to extremely polluted water and have the power to outlive in a hypoxic [not having enough oxygen] situation. That is the rationale why suckermouth catfish are present in such abundance within the extraordinarily polluted River Buriganga.
The examine additionally phrases the fish species ‘malicious’ as they alter the aquatic meals webs by competing with native fishes and indiscriminately consuming phytoplanktons and zooplanktons. In laboratory checks, 19 kinds of phytoplanktons and 4 kinds of zooplanktons, apart from particles, have been discovered within the abdomen of the suckermouth catfish.
The fish can develop as much as 45cm and weigh round 1500gm with 52-56% flesh. A mature suckermouth catfish in a moisture state comprises 20.55-21.22% protein which is 2-4% and 1-2% greater than different carp fish and catfishes respectively. Nevertheless, extreme cadmium and zinc have been discovered within the fish samples from the Buriganga, the Shitalakshya and a pond in Mymensingh, the BFRI examine reads.
Md Anisur Rahman, analysis lead and director (presently on post-retirement depart) at BFRI, not too long ago informed The Enterprise Normal that processed meat of suckermouth catfish may very well be used as a uncooked materials for animal feed.
“However it requires additional analysis and the uncooked supplies must be non-toxic,” he added.
For the final one and half years, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural College’s Assistant Professor of Fishing and Put up-Harvest Expertise Md Masud Rana, and his crew have been researching the potential progress controlling measures for the ‘malicious’ suckermouth catfish.
Up to now, the crew’s analysis has discovered that the dried meat of the suckermouth catfish comprises 38% protein. Moreover, the laboratory samples collected from eight divisions besides these of the Buriganga and the Turag, had zero or a lower than permissible quantity of heavy metals.
“The suckermouth catfish should not toxic by beginning. The meat of the non-toxic fish can be utilized within the animal feed business. It won’t solely meet the native demand, but additionally create an export alternative as there’s a enormous demand for protein-rich feed within the worldwide market,” Masud stated. He additionally added that any various use of the fish ought to comply with laboratory testing.
Then, what in regards to the ‘poisonous’ fish discovered within the polluted rivers?
Masud replied, “Globally, the skins and bones of fishes just like the suckermouth catfish have been utilized in adorning leather-based merchandise like purses and ready-made clothes equipment like buttons. The skins and bones of the poisonous fish may be utilised in these methods and the meat may be buried.”
Fish skins are sometimes prized within the leather-based business for his or her zigzag texture. Furthermore, fish skins require fewer chemical compounds and fewer power to be tanned, as they’re often smaller and thinner than cattle pores and skin. They’re comparatively stronger as a result of crisscrossing construction of the fibres, which make them extra elastic and tear-resistant than cowhide.
The researcher defined the need of utilising the fish below query in alternative routes. To him, solely banning the cultivation and distribution of suckermouth catfish, and destroying their colonies won’t work.
“Folks, particularly fishermen, won’t reply to the calls to destroy the colonies in the event that they discover no private acquire within the work,” Masud stated, and really useful managed worth addition to the present ‘malicious’ fish and a strict implementation of the ban concurrently.
The suckermouth catfish are prolific breeders and their hatching success fee may be very excessive. Therefore, there must be a particular programme to regulate the breeding of the fish in poisonous waters just like the Buriganga.
“Initially, the regulatory our bodies have to establish the total breeding season and essentially the most appropriate breeding grounds in the event that they go for organic management. To implement the ‘kill and bury the carcasses’ coverage alongside the Buriganga river, the federal government may announce incentives for the fishermen. In any other case, controlling the unfold of suckermouth catfish might be not possible,” Masud concluded.
