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HB 446

Natural Resources - Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jackie Addison and 14 co-sponsors

Maryland establishes a pilot program authorizing controlled harvest of invasive blue catfish to reduce populations and support ecosystem management in state waters.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 172
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Bill Summary · HB 446

Legislative bill overview

HB 446 establishes a pilot program in Maryland to manage invasive blue catfish populations through controlled harvest and removal initiatives. The bill authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to implement strategies for reducing blue catfish numbers in state waters while potentially creating economic opportunities through commercial and recreational fishing.

Why is this important

Blue catfish are an invasive species that have proliferated in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay and tributaries, outcompeting native fish species and disrupting ecosystems. This pilot program represents a proactive approach to an environmental problem that threatens commercial fishing industries and native species recovery, with potential economic benefits from catfish harvest operations.

Potential points of contention

  • Ecological effectiveness: Uncertainty about whether selective removal can meaningfully reduce invasive populations without comprehensive, multi-state coordination across the Chesapeake Bay watershed
  • Economic viability: Questions about whether market demand and pricing for harvested blue catfish can sustain commercial operations or if subsidies will be needed long-term
  • Unintended consequences: Risk that fishing incentives could inadvertently encourage catfish breeding or dispersal, or disrupt other aquatic ecosystems if removal efforts are poorly calibrated

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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