Black-jawed Tilapia Increase at Lam Pao Dam, Total Reaches 12

Kalasin, Thailand – Two more black-jawed tilapia (*Oreochromis melanopleura*) have been discovered at Lam Pao Dam in Kalasin province, northeastern Thailand, bringing the total confirmed sightings to 12, according to local media reports from MGR Online. Thai fisheries officials have reassured the public that the fish are non-toxic and safe for consumption. However, their increasing presence has raised concerns among local freshwater prawn farmers. There are worries that the invasive species could compete for food with native fish or introduce diseases, potentially impacting the aquaculture industry. Lam Pao Dam is a vital resource for irrigation and fisheries in the region. The proliferation of the black-jawed tilapia suggests a potential shift in the dam's ecological balance, prompting close monitoring of the situation.