Containing Viral Haemorrhagic Septicemia, KKP Destroys 11.4 Kg Of Fresh Fish From Japan

Illustration - Process of destroying imported marine and fishery products. ANTARA/HO-KKP

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) through the Center for Fish Quarantine, Quality Control and Safety of Fishery Products (BKIPM) Jakarta I destroyed 11.4 kilograms of fresh fish from Japan and 267 ornamental fish from Colombia.

Fresh fish from Japan that were destroyed consisted of 8 kg of Kanpachi (seriola dumerili) fish and 1.5 kg of fresh hirame (paralichthys olivaceus) and 1.9 kg of Kinki (sebastolobus macrochir).

"In this fish, a Quarantined Fish Disease Group I was found, namely viral haemorrhagic septicemia (VHS)," explained the Head of BKIPM Jakarta I, Heri Yuwono in an electronic message received in Jakarta, Antara, Tuesday, March 15.

This destruction is in line with BKIPM's role as a provider of quality assurance. Meanwhile, ornamental fish from Colombia were not equipped with an Import Recommendation from the Directorate General of Aquaculture.

In addition, he said, there are types of fish that are prohibited from entering the territory of the Republic of Indonesia based on the Regulation of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Number 19/PERMEN-KP/2020 concerning the Prohibition of the Importation, Cultivation, Circulation and Export of Fish Species That are Dangerous and/or Harmful. Into and From the Fishery Management Area of the Republic of Indonesia.

The types of fish that were not equipped with the Importation Recommendation consisted of 8 Broomsticks (Panaque sp.), 14 Silver Dollars (Myleus schomburki), 48 Broomsticks (Baryancistrus demantoides) and 5 Broomsticks (Panaque titan).

Furthermore, 60 Cichlids (Geophagus pallegrini), and 91 Cichlids (Cichlasoma severum/Heros severus). Meanwhile, 41 species are prohibited from being imported into the territory of the Republic of Indonesia, namely the Gulper/Asterophysus batrachus species.

"We destroy it, because the quality and safety of fishery products are non-negotiable," he said.

In accordance with the Decree of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Number 17 of 2021 concerning Determination of Quarantined Fish Disease Types, Causing Organisms, Classes and Carrier Media, HSV Virus is an organism that causes Quarantined Fish Disease Group I which is prohibited from being imported into and spreading within the territory of the Republic of Indonesia.

Then for destroyed ornamental fish, imported through Soekarno-Hatta Airport on February 14, 2022 and fresh fish imported on February 24, 2022. Culling is carried out at the Fish Quarantine Installation of BKIPM Jakarta I in two ways, namely by burning and soaking (short bathing) using formalin solution for further burial.

"This destruction was witnessed by the owner and witnesses from relevant agencies in the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Polresta, Customs and Agricultural Quarantine)," he said.

Previously, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries asked his staff to strengthen supervision. This is necessary in order to preserve the Indonesian fishery ecosystem, including from the dangers of fish and fish quarantine diseases.