Up Close and Personal with a Bay Menace
Earlier this month, we had a very cloudy kickoff to our 2025 Steering Committee Retreat in Washington, D.C.
But we didn’t let the weather get to us—our Steering Committee, friends of the Coalition, and staff hopped on the boat ready to set sail on the Potomac River. We had the amazing opportunity to see a live catfish shocking demonstration led by Maryland Department of Natural Resources and United States Geological Survey. We learned about the importance of harvesting these invasive catfish not only to protect the health of the Bay, but to collect data on these apex predators.
Rosa, the Coalition’s Energy Policy Contractor, and I posing with a blue catfish
Needless to say—the catfish weren’t the only ones who were shocked that day!
It was stunning to see hundreds of blue catfish suddenly surrounding our boat. It’s one thing to hear about the magnitude of catfish in the Bay, but to see it firsthand left me speechless. Following the shocking, Maryland DNR scooped up their select picks and cruised over to show us what they caught. The watermen held up a variety of blue and flathead catfish. We learned how to identify them, their biology, their diets, and how big they can get. We also got the opportunity to hold the 35-pound blue catfish they caught.
I’ll never forget the feeling of being dwarfed by that massive catfish. And that’s not even the biggest one Maryland DNR has caught on these trips! We learned that it’s not uncommon for them to catch 55-pounders on their electrofishing outings. If that’s not unsettling to you, I don’t know what is.
However, I did not hold it. I just didn’t want to get the fish smell on me… Or something…
How Did We Get Here?
In the 1970s, blue catfish were introduced to Virginia rivers for recreational fishing. With its rapid reproduction, large size, few natural predators, and long lifespan, blue catfish are now a top predator in the Bay. These opportunistic bottom-feeders cause major issues for keystone native species such as blue crabs, rockfish, freshwater mussels, menhaden, and many other fish populations in the region.
Why Does This Matter?
Without any catfish mitigation, native species have no chance at survival and the health of the Bay ecosystem will be at a huge risk. Opening up new markets for blue catfish will provide an additional revenue stream for watermen while also addressing a growing threat to the health of the Bay's ecosystem. The Coalition is also advocating for the inclusion of an invasive catfish population mitigation and reduction target in the Revised Chesapeake Bay Agreement.
Our Solutions
The Coalition is working with the Bay’s Congressional delegation to alleviate inspection restrictions which complicates the removal of these harmful invasive fish from the Bay and its rivers and streams. We also support state and federal efforts, including federal legislation, which would accelerate the removal, harvesting, and processing of invasive blue catfish from the Bay and its rivers and streams.
Additionally, we’re advocating for enhanced marketing of invasive blue catfish to increase demand and sales, and the establishment and coordination of a federal-led interagency adapting blue catfish research framework.
What’s Next?
The Coalition will continue to research and fight for blue catfish mitigation in order to prevent these predators from further invading the Watershed. To support our work, please consider donating to the Coalition and our efforts.
To see more videos from our catfish shocking trip, check out our Instagram.
