On Wednesday, food safety officials seized 800 kg of banned African catfish and Sucker mouth catfish near Rameswaram. This is the second big catch in a year, following the seizure of 1,300 kg of African catfish in August 2023.
Acting on a tip-off about the movement of banned fish in Ramanathapuram, food safety officials, along with Uchipuli station police, conducted a vehicle check near ECR road. They found the consignment being transported to be used as chicken feed.
Both African catfish, also known as ‘Theli’, and Sucker mouth catfish, or tank cleaner fish, are banned in India. These fish are carnivorous and come from Africa, but they have entered Indian water bodies over the years. They can live up to a day without water and eat native fish species. The African catfish has high fat content, which can cause skin allergies and even heart problems, leading to a ban on their farming and sale in several states.
“Because they are carnivorous, African catfish multiply quickly and grow large. Their food habits result in higher fat content, posing health risks. They are also invasive, threatening native fish species and their habitats,” explained a senior official. Sucker mouth catfish can be found when waterbodies dry up and can survive on moisture, but they yield little meat while harming native species.
Despite awareness programs, the food safety department still finds illegal farming and sale of these fish in Ramanathapuram. While mainly used as poultry feed, African catfish are sometimes sold illegally in markets. Investigations are ongoing to catch those involved in this illegal trade.
Food safety officials advise the public against farming or eating these banned fish species due to their harmful effects on health and the environment.
Source-The New Indian Express
