Jakarta (ANTARA) – Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung backed a citywide crackdown on suckermouth catfish, citing risks to aquatic ecosystems and potential public health concerns.“The Jakarta Provincial Government appreciates recent efforts by Public Infrastructure and Facilities Handling (PPSU) officers and the Central Jakarta mayor,” Anung said on Saturday.He said he had directly observed fish-catching operations in the city center, including areas around Grand Hyatt and Plaza Indonesia.Anung explained the suckermouth catfish is an invasive species originating from South America with a high survival rate and strong adaptability.“This fish comes from South America. Its resilience is extraordinary; it can survive by consuming almost anything,” he said.That feeding behavior raises health concerns, as the fish may ingest contaminated materials in polluted waterways.“Because it eats almost anything, it is potentially dangerous. Its flesh may contain harmful contaminants,” he added.Beyond health risks, the species threatens local biodiversity by competing with and displacing native fish populations.If left uncontrolled, it could crowd out species such as wader fish (Rasbora jacobsoni) and others that are part of the natural ecosystem.The provincial government supports broader and sustained efforts to control the invasive population as part of environmental protection measures.Authorities also plan to strengthen coordination among agencies and raise public awareness to curb the spread of the species.Previously, the Central Jakarta administration and the Food Security, Marine Affairs and Agriculture Agency (KPKP) conducted cleanup operations in the Cideng River near Plaza Indonesia.KPKP Head Hasudungan A. Sidabalok said the issue has persisted for years, with earlier sampling in the Ciliwung River detecting contaminants including Salmonella, E. coli and heavy metals.