3 QUINTALS OF THE BANNED PREDATORY CATFISH SEIZED AND DESTROYED

3 QUINTALS OF THE BANNED PREDATORY CATFISH SEIZED AND DESTROYED

14-DEC-ENG 8

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------The Fisheries Department conducted a major operation on Wednesday afternoon near Naya Tola under the Jagdishpur police station area of ​​Bhojpur district. In a special operation conducted under the instructions of the District Fisheries Officer, the Fisheries Development Officer raided the area and seized a large quantity of the banned 'Thai catfish,' which was immediately destroyed.

The raid, led by Fisheries Development Officer Guddu Kumar Singh, resulted in the recovery of approximately 2.5 to 3 quintals (hundreds of kilograms) of the banned fish. Considering the seized fish a threat to health and the environment, it was destroyed on the spot to prevent it from being sold in the market.

Why is this fish deadly? Fisheries Development Officer Guddu Kumar Singh explained that the government has imposed a complete ban on the farming and sale of this fish since 2020. He informed that Thai catfish contain dangerous 'heavy metals.' Its consumption poses a risk of cancer and other serious skin diseases. Furthermore, this fish is carnivorous and aggressive. If introduced into a pond, it eats all the other native fish present, causing significant damage to fisheries.

Officials stated that this fish is primarily produced in Thailand and is illegally smuggled into Bihar markets via Bengal.

During this operation, the fish vendor was given a strict warning and released, considering it his first offense. The department clarified that if any vendor is caught selling the banned catfish again in the future, legal action will be taken against them. The Fisheries Officer stated that this operation will continue regularly as per the orders of the District Magistrate.