Blue Catfish Invades Potomac

      In the 1970s, Blue catfish, who are a native species of the Mississippi River Valley, were introduced to the Rappahannock and James Rivers. Subsequently, the Blue catfish, along with the Flathead catfish which is another invasive species, have turned up in the Susquehanna, Northeast, and Nanticoke Rivers, Upper Chesapeake Bay and other waters.

      “Blue and Flathead catfish are invasive, non-native species that are long-lived, fast growing and opportunistic feeders. Consequently, State and Federal fisheries managers are concerned about their affect on the ecosystem, and are working together to develop strategies to mitigate their impact” (Davidsburg 1). 

                                                                     Blue Catfish
                                         
               
      These fish are top predators and are believed to be a serious threat to native species such as the white catfish, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and freshwater mussels. The native species provide great economic and ecological benefits to the region which can be negatively affected by Blue and Flathead catfish.

                                                                   Flathead Catfish　

　

      “The Chesapeake Bay Program’s Sustainable Fisheries Goal Team, which includes representatives from Virginia, Maryland, the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, District of Columbia, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service, and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, recently adopted a Chesapeake Bay blue and flathead catfish policy to reduce these catfish populations and to stem their spread” (Davidsburg 2). The aim is to prevent these fish from entering other tributaries. It is already illegal for anyone to introduce live Blue and Flathead catfish into waterways.

          The Blue catfish were brought here to stock lakes and rivers for sports fishing.  In the Rappahannock and James River they are tbeginning to take over.  Blue catfish can grow up to 80 pounds and have huge appetites.  They eat large sums of other fish, worms, and crabs.  Blue catfish crowd out native species such as the channel catfish and white catfish.  They have wrecked havoc on Virginia's program to restore the fish such as the menhaden, American shad, and the blue crab.  It may take many years to find out whether this invasive species is having a significantly adverse affect on the ecosystem, but it is obvious that the Blue catfish is presently having a negative affect on native species of fish in Virginia.

Works Cited

Davidsburg, Josh. Angler Catches State Record Blue Catfish in the Potomac River.

      Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 12 March 2012. Web. 26 September

      2012.