Maryland Attempts to Prevent the Invasion of Pennsylvania

Northern Snakehead, aka 'Chesapeake Channa'

MDDNR, Thousands of Invasive Fish Removed from Maryland Waters at Conowingo Dam

Thousands of invasive fish have been removed from the Chesapeake Bay watershed at the Conowingo Dam earlier this year and donated to local food banks through a continuing partnership between Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Conowingo Dam owner Constellation Energy, environmental consulting firm Normandeau Associates Inc., and local seafood wholesaler J.J. McDonnell and Co. Inc.

The fish lift at Conowingo Dam is essentially a water-filled elevator that collects migrating anadromous fish species, such as American shad, during their spawning run and transports them above the dam into the upper Susquehanna River and their traditional spawning areas. When invasive fish enter the lift, technicians remove them by hand and send them out for beneficial use.

Flathead Catfish

I think I saw a Snakehead swimming in the surf today. It didn't look very happy. It's pretty salty out there, and full of Sea Nettles.

During the 2024 season, which ran from March to June, more than 18,000 pounds of invasive fish were removed from Maryland waters. Species prevented from passing upstream of the dam include 2,106 Chesapeake Channa, also known as northern snakehead; 746 flathead catfish; and 36 blue catfish. The number of Chesapeake Channa removed at the dam was more than double the amount removed in any year since the program began in 2021 (see chart below).

To put the harvested fish to good use, J.J. McDonnell processed most for consumption, including a portion they distributed to local food banks in Cecil County. DNR kept some fish for outreach events and scientific research to inform management toward minimizing the impact of these invasive species.

Blue Catfish

 

“Invasive fish pose a significant threat to ecologically and economically important native species in Maryland,” said Branson Williams, Maryland DNR’s Invasive Fishes Program Manager. “The removal effort at Conowingo Dam is a prime example of how partnership can amplify our ability to manage invasive fishes and limit their spread.”

Chesapeake Channa and blue and flathead catfish are the most notable and pervasive invasive fish in Maryland. They are all predatory species that consume large amounts of native aquatic species and have few natural predators. The department urges anglers to harvest these species when they catch them and report catches in new areas using the Invasive Species Tracker form on the DNR.

I wish them luck, but only a few need to get past to establish new populations upstream of the fish ladder.  

I've often wondered what Maryland and Virginia have to offer Pennsylvania for all the expense of the "Bay Diet.' This could be part of it. "Do your part, or we'll let the invasive species up the river." Meanwhile, we're stuck with them. Oh well, at least they fight hard and taste good. 

The Wombat makes up time with Rule 5 Sunday: Hangar Queen Double-Scoop Sunday!