Maryland Officials Launch Pilot Programs to Curb Invasive Blue Catfish

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland natural resource officials have launched two pilot programs aimed at curbing the spread of invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Applications are now open for the Blue Catfish For-Hire/Commercial and Mid- and Lower-Bay Finfish Trotline Pilot Programs, offering commercial watermen and charter boat captains an opportunity to participate in the state’s mitigation efforts.

Blue catfish, known for their voracious appetite and high reproductive rate, pose a significant threat to native species, some of which are commercially and recreationally important to Maryland. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials also note that blue catfish are good eating, further encouraging their removal from local waters.

The pilot programs are part of a broader strategy to address the impact of blue catfish on Maryland’s ecosystems. Other efforts include incentivizing charter captains to gather harvest data on their catfish and Chesapeake Channa (northern snakehead) trips, supporting invasive species tournaments, and working with stakeholders to increase removal initiatives.

Blue Catfish For-Hire/Commercial Pilot Program

This program allows participants to operate both for-hire and commercial fishing trips simultaneously while lifting crew limits on commercial hook-and-line trips targeting blue catfish. The initiative is designed to financially incentivize captains to sell excess blue catfish rather than releasing them back into the water.

There is no maximum number of participants for this program. Eligible applicants must hold a commercial fishing license, target blue catfish on charter trips, and submit daily reports on their catches. Applications are open on a rolling basis.

Mid- and Lower-Bay Finfish Trotline Pilot Program

To address the growing abundance and distribution of invasive catfish, the DNR is considering relaxing regulations that currently prohibit finfish trotlines south of the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge. The program will allow a select group of harvesters to use finfish trotlines in the mainstem Chesapeake Bay south of the Bay Bridge.

The pilot will evaluate bycatch, user conflicts, and other factors before proposing regulatory changes for wider implementation. Finfish trotlines have proven to be an effective method for harvesting invasive catfish, accounting for 26% of Maryland’s blue catfish harvest from 2019 to 2023.

Participants must possess a Maryland Unlimited Tidal Fish License or Unlimited Finfish Harvester License and report all harvests through an electronic reporting form or logbook provided by the department. Applications are open through February 20, 2025, with a limited number of permits available based on weighted selection criteria.

Maryland license holders can continue using finfish trotlines to harvest blue catfish in legal state waters without enrolling in the pilot program.

For more information on the programs and application process, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website.