Jakarta has launched a city-wide operation to remove invasive sapu-sapu fish from its river systems to restore local aquatic ecosystems [1].
The proliferation of these fish, also known as janitor fish, threatens the biodiversity of Indonesian waterways by displacing native species. Because the fish thrive on the pollution and waste found in the city's rivers, they are able to outcompete local fauna, and accumulate toxins within their bodies [1].
Originally from South America, the catfish species has become a significant problem in the urban waterways of Jakarta. Officials said they are conducting the mass-removal effort not only to protect the environment but also to safeguard city infrastructure from the effects of the infestation [1].
The operation is a coordinated effort across the city. Mass catching events were organized across five administrative regions of Jakarta [3] to ensure a comprehensive sweep of the affected rivers.
Environmental factors have contributed to the surge of the sapu-sapu population. The abundance of organic waste in the water provides a steady food source for the invasive species, allowing them to multiply rapidly while native fish struggle to survive in the polluted conditions [1].
City authorities said they are focusing on the removal process as a primary step in a broader strategy to rehabilitate the river ecosystems. By reducing the population of these invasive catfish, the city hopes to create a more balanced environment where indigenous species can once again thrive [1].
“Jakarta has launched a city-wide operation to remove invasive sapu-sapu fish”
The struggle with the sapu-sapu fish highlights the intersection of urban pollution and ecological instability. When invasive species find a competitive advantage in degraded environments—such as Jakarta's polluted rivers—they can permanently alter the local food chain. This operation suggests that physical removal is necessary because the environmental conditions currently favor the invasive species over native ones.
