Ghana asked to provide DNA of fish from Thailand

The Department of Fisheries has asked Ghana for the DNA of its blackchin tilapia to verify if the outbreak of the invasive fish species in Thailand originated from the African nation. The department's director-general, Bancha Sukkaew, said on Friday that the department had sent a letter requesting DNA or some samples of the blackchin tilapia from Ghana, which was the country that Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) reportedly sought permission to import the fish from for R&D purposes in 2010. He said the data will be used to compare the DNA of the invasive species found in 17 provinces, including Chanthaburi, Rayong, and Bangkok. Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn, deputy minister of agriculture and cooperatives, said the ministry received positive feedback after offering to buy blackchin tilapia for 15 baht/kg, which will be used for making fertilisers. The ministry expects the policy to help eliminate four million kilos of blackchin tilapia from waterways and ponds by mid-next year, he said. ...