Jakarta (ANTARA) - As the Ciliwung River winds through Kalibata in South Jakarta, stories unfold of people striving to see another day by catching suckermouth catfish, a species widely recognized for its invasive nature.Belittled by many, the species—better known as janitor fish—has long served as a source of livelihood for some, including Ajum, 39, who pursues it day in and day out, earning him the moniker of fisherman among locals.
When livelihoods meet cleanup drive
Ajum and his peers see their earnings hinge on the river’s condition. A day of calm waters often lets them haul sizeable catches, while poor conditions quickly choke their cash flow.
“When the water is decent, we can catch 20–30 kilograms of fish. During floods, our haul shrinks to 10 kilograms at best, as we must prioritize safety amid rising risks,” he explained.
He said the catch is typically valued at Rp15,000 to Rp18,000 per kilogram (US$1 = Rp17,000). Though the activity holds promise, the river’s shifting moods at times leave him at a loss.
“In my worst days, the haul barely covers operational costs. I could spend Rp100,000 to Rp150,000 a day,” he stated.
Added to this daunting gamble is the peril of putting his life on the line, combing the river for up to six hours a day with nothing but a rubber tire for buoyancy, battling strong currents and evading drifting wood alike.
Driving Ajum to brave the risks is the urge to make ends meet. He usually sells his haul to middlemen, who redistribute it to others—often small-time producers or vendors of food such as nuggets, otak-otak, cilok, crackers, and siomay—a medically contentious practice widely acknowledged yet left unspoken in Indonesia.
And there arises a dilemma. Many Indonesians call janitor fish “ikan sapu-sapu”—ikan means fish, while sapu-sapu stems from sapu (broom) or its verb form, menyapu (sweeping).
The popular name reflects the fish’s habit of sweeping, sucking, or cleaning surfaces in search of food, often with corrosive effects on the ecosystem.
This species is also sometimes noted for its aggressive behavior toward other biota, including local fishes and their eggs, posing an existential threat to the biome as its armor-like skin deters natural predators.
On the other hand, there are people who practically depend on the fish for survival.
“It is indeed a good call to exterminate them, given their invasive nature. But believe me, their population will persist, as they keep emerging despite my folks hunting them,” Ajam said, referring to the Jakarta government’s recent anti-janitor fish campaign.
He added that beyond its remarkable endurance, the species can reproduce rapidly, with a single individual able to lay thousands of eggs.
“Just like mosquitoes, they keep respawning despite extermination,” the fisherman stressed.
Still, he stopped short of opposing the government’s initiative, noting that decaying janitor fish could pollute the water if left submerged.
“Most importantly, we need to maintain environmental cleanliness. After all, this fish offers economic benefits,” he said.
Environmental activist Arief Kamarudin offered a similar perspective, viewing the government’s cleanup program as a positive step toward ecosystem balance.
“I fully support the government’s initiative because it reflects genuine care for the ecosystem,” he said.
He warned that Jakarta’s rivers risk being overwhelmed by destructive catfish in the absence of such efforts.
Seeking a holistic approach
While endorsing the cleanup, Arief cautioned the government not to become too fixated on the fish in question, citing Jakarta’s overlapping environmental challenges.
“The problem is not singular. We have trash, waste, and invasive fish. All these issues must be addressed one at a time,” he argued.
On waste, the activist leaned toward rising public awareness for gradual yet lasting impacts.
“Overcoming waste problems requires a root-cause approach. We need to intensify education because this issue stems from human habits, which will keep going if left unchanged,” he stated.
Regardless, Arief emphasized that ongoing waste issues should not dampen the campaign against janitor fish. He expressed confidence that the population will decline as cleanup efforts continue.
Cleaning up rivers
The Jakarta provincial government reported that since Governor Pramono Anung approved the cleanup in mid-April, about seven tonnes of janitor fish have been caught and buried.
However, officials vowed a review of the program's method after the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) raised concerns over perceived cruelty.
MUI’s fatwa commission warned that mass burying janitor fish alive amounts to a violation of animal rights enshrined in Islamic teaching.
Even so, the council endorsed the ecological intent, voicing support for efforts to safeguard river ecosystems from the invasive species.
In response, Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno assured that the cleanup method will require the fish to be dead before burial at designated sites, with hygiene standards applied to block their return to rivers or trade.
He noted that buried janitor fish can serve as natural compost and suggested adopting Brazil’s model, where the fish are turned into charcoal to generate greater economic benefits.
“I have forwarded this idea to the Environment Office,” he said.
Citing health risks, he further warned citizens against consuming janitor fish, stressing severe contamination with lead. Similarly, the South Jakarta government voiced its commitment to following MUI’s recommendation, pledging that all fish will be dead before burial.
Amid the efforts and ensuing concerns, the Ciliwung River remains a living space for many. For Ajum and fellow fishermen, the river’s currents carry both hope and risks.
On one hand, there is a push to clean the river for a healthier environment. On the other, livelihoods hinge on the very fish targeted for removal.
The dilemma spotlights a complex reality: environmental and economic concerns often run in parallel, colliding without easy answers.
Roaming the Ciliwung River and many other water bodies, janitor fish are more than pests; they are bound up in a story of people's survival.
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