Maryland, My Maryland

At the Southern Maryland Chronicle, Maryland DNR Seeks Anglers to Topple Blue Catfish Record, Aid Ecosystem In the Quest for a New Record 

In an effort to combat the escalating issue of blue catfish in Maryland, the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging anglers to aim for a new state record. The current record, an 84.0-pound giant, was caught by Oregon resident Ed Jones in August 2012, a memorable event marked by both triumph and personal loss as Jones recounted losing his phone to the river during the catch. Despite the mishap, the day remains etched in his memory, celebrated by a plaque and a photo prominently displayed in his home.

Blue catfish, a non-native species introduced in the 1970s in Virginia, have become a
significant invasive threat in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Their population has surged in Maryland, with commercial harvests jumping from 609,525 pounds in 2013 to 4.2 million pounds in 2023. These fish pose a considerable risk to native species, consuming large quantities of blue crabs, menhaden, and white perch, and their large sizes and reproductive rates exacerbate the issue.

The DNR’s strategy includes urging anglers to remove these predators from the waters. With no fishing seasons or limits for blue catfish, the department emphasizes the importance of harvesting these fish to protect the ecosystem. Branson Williams, the DNR’s invasive species program manager, highlighted the detrimental impact of catch-and-release practices on native species, urging for the removal of these invasive predators.

OK, but only fishing for the big ones in likely to guys fishing in such a way as to avoid getting bit by the much more plentiful small fish, like using huge hooks and big bait. If they really want to encourage recreational anglers to catch Blue Cats, they probably need to institute some kind of bounty. Maybe $5 a lb for heads or something. It's messy, but I'll bet they'd get a bunch.  Incidentally, friends of mine who live on the Patuxent had a Bald Eagle grab a big one in front of their house, and drag it onto their beach:

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Stellar Blade and FMJRA 2.0: Adrift Somewhere In The Anacostia River up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.