Over seven tons of janitor fish have been netted and buried across Jakarta, including 320 kilograms collected Friday from East Jakarta’s Ciracas reservoir, involving hundreds of city workers and residents.
The operation aims to restore the Ciliwung River’s ecosystem, as the invasive fish damage riverbanks and outcompete native species. Officials plan regular removals and are considering processing the fish into animal feed or fertilizer.
Concerns over animal welfare and pollution have shaped the operation’s methods, with authorities pledging humane treatment and safe disposal. Experts warn that lasting improvement requires addressing underlying water pollution and river rehabilitation.
After removing 10 tons of toxic fish, is Jakarta just treating a symptom of its dying rivers?
Could turning invasive 'janitor fish' into a profitable industry be the real solution to Jakarta's river crisis?
If pollution isn't stopped, what new monster will replace the 'janitor fish' in Jakarta's toxic waterways?
Lab tests show the fish are full of lead. Is this cleanup masking a much larger public health crisis?
As officials debate burial methods, are there smarter, more humane ways to manage this ecological disaster?