Two new programs aim to reduce the number of invasive blue
catfish found in Chesapeake Bay. (credit: Keith Sutton)
Maryland DNR Introduces Commercial Blue Cat Programs
Initiatives will test ideas aimed at increasing invasive catfish removals in Chesapeake Bay.
Source: Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has launched two pilot programs—the Blue Catfish Commercial Charter Pilot Program and the Mid- and Lower-Bay Finfish Trotline Pilot Program—aimed at curbing the spread of blue catfish in Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
“The silver lining to the challenges blue catfish pose in the Chesapeake Bay is they taste great,” said DNR Invasive Fishes Program Manager Branson Williams. “These pilot programs aim to reduce barriers for commercial fishermen to catch and sell more blue catfish. Our goal is to reduce biomass, and these programs will help with those efforts.”
Blue catfish are problematic due to their voracious and indiscriminate appetites, high reproductive rate and potential to harm native species, some of which are commercially and recreationally important to Maryland, including blue crabs.
The pilot programs are part of a larger effort by the department to mitigate the negative impact blue catfish have on native species and ecosystems. Other initiatives include incentivizing charter captains to gather harvest data on their catfish trips, supporting invasive species tournaments and working with stakeholders and other agencies to increase removals. There is no season or limit on recreational blue catfishing for anglers holding the appropriate Maryland fishing license.
The Blue Catfish Commercial Charter Pilot Program allows participants to run for-hire and commercial fishing trips simultaneously and removes crew limits on commercial hook-and-line fishing trips that target blue catfish. This action will financially incentivize captains to sell excess blue catfish after a charter rather than releasing the fish alive.
The Mid- and Lower-Bay Finfish Trotline Pilot Program will allow a small number of harvesters to use finfish trotlines in the mainstem Chesapeake Bay south of the Bay Bridge. The department will examine bycatch, user conflicts and other issues encountered during the pilot before proposing regulation changes to allow widespread use. Trotlines accounted for 26% of Maryland’s blue catfish harvest from 2019 through 2023.
