Rep. Andy Harris and Trump Admin Launch $6M Grant to Curb Invasive Catfish in Chesapeake Bay

Addressing Invasive Species and Boosting Local Industry

Congressman Andy Harris, representing the Eastern Shore, has partnered with Secretary Brooke Rollins of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to launch a $6 million grant program aimed at tackling the invasive blue catfish population in the Chesapeake Bay while also supporting the local seafood processing industry. This initiative is designed to not only manage the ecological impact of these fish but also to create new economic opportunities for watermen on the Eastern Shore.

At a recent news conference held in Tilghman Island, Harris emphasized that blue catfish are abundant in the bay, with estimates suggesting around 1 billion pounds of the species swimming in the waters. “They can be caught, processed, and sold here and around the world as an affordable source of fish protein,” he said.

The USDA’s Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program is offering grants up to $250,000 for Eastern Shore watermen interested in entering the blue catfish processing industry. Applications must be submitted by October 6 through grants.gov. Harris noted that while the timeframe is short, there is no shortage of funding available for those who qualify.

Currently, there are four USDA-approved processors in Maryland that handle blue catfish. These facilities play a critical role in turning the invasive species into a marketable product. According to data from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, commercial harvests in 2024 totaled over 1.9 million pounds in the Potomac River mainstem and nearly 1.6 million pounds in other parts of the state.

Nick Hargrove, owner of Tilghman Island Seafood, highlighted the potential of this initiative. He mentioned that the program could help build facilities capable of processing tens of thousands of pounds of catfish daily. Some of these facilities may even invest in automated machinery that could process up to 100,000 pounds of fish per day, significantly reducing the population of blue catfish in the bay.

Harris, who is also a physician, pointed out that blue catfish is a nutritious source of protein. The Maryland Department of Agriculture has already been promoting the consumption of blue catfish in colleges and other state institutions, and has provided funding for Maryland-caught filets through the USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative at food banks.

Beyond its nutritional value, the program aims to reduce the need for imported seafood. By creating a domestic market for blue catfish, the initiative could potentially replace some of the seafood currently brought into the U.S. from abroad.

Hargrove envisions the grant program as a way to establish a stable market for watermen, allowing them to sell their catches and create a new industry. His company already ships fish to places like San Francisco and Hong Kong, having processed approximately 5 million pounds of blue catfish in two and a half years. With additional funding, Hargrove hopes to automate processes and bring more fishermen on board.

He stressed that while 5 million pounds might seem like a large amount, it pales in comparison to the estimated 1 billion pounds of blue catfish in the bay. “It will take a much larger effort to stop this fish from eating all of the things we love in this state,” he said.

Secretary Rollins added that the average age of a waterman is between 58 and 60, raising concerns about the future of the industry. She called it a “potential national security issue” if younger generations aren’t given opportunities to join the sector. Rollins emphasized the importance of opening up domestic markets and ensuring that the U.S. can produce its own food rather than relying on foreign nations.

“This is truly about the future of America—protecting America,” she said. “I’m proud to be a part of that.”

This initiative represents a multi-faceted approach to addressing environmental challenges while supporting local economies and promoting food security.