Black-Chinned Tilapia Invades Lam Pao Dam, Threatening Aquaculture in Kalasin

The presence of the invasive Black-Chinned Tilapia (scientific name: *Tilapia zillii*) has been confirmed in the Lam Pao Dam, located in Kalasin Province, northeastern Thailand. This situation raises significant concerns about potential severe impacts on key aquaculture resources such as farmed shrimp and Nile tilapia within the dam. The Black-Chinned Tilapia is known for its exceptionally high reproductive rate and its ability to rapidly increase its population in a short period. Within the dam's limited ecosystem, there are worries not only about competition for food and habitat with native species and other farmed fish but also about direct predation and the potential transmission of diseases. There is a strong view that a blow to the aquaculture industry, a vital pillar of the regional economy, is unavoidable. The Kalasin Provincial Fisheries Office is calling for swift action to address this situation, described as a "new time bomb." The urgent task is to formulate and implement specific eradication and control measures. The authorities plan to strengthen cooperation with relevant agencies to establish a robust system for protecting the dam's aquatic resources. This issue once again highlights the critical importance of invasive species management within Thailand.