Public schools in Maryland and Virginia have begun serving invasive blue catfish in cafeterias to help control the species' population in the Chesapeake Bay. School districts, including Caroline County Public Schools in Maryland, are using the fish to create "catty patties"—a breaded fish cake similar to a crab cake—to meet federal dietary requirements and appeal to students.
Blue catfish were introduced to Virginia rivers in the 1970s for recreational fishing. While they were expected to remain in freshwater areas, record rainfall in 2018 lowered salinity levels in the Chesapeake Bay, allowing the fish to spread into every tidal tributary in Maryland. The species has since become an apex predator, with some individuals weighing over 100 pounds.
Biologists with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources report that blue catfish now account for approximately 70% of the fish biomass in certain areas. The fish prey on native species, including blue crabs, menhaden, and rockfish. To manage the population, Maryland officials are encouraging increased human consumption, as the species currently lacks other major predators in the region.
Commercial watermen, such as Rocky Rice on the lower Potomac River, have shifted their primary operations from crabbing to catfish harvesting. Because the fish is classified as invasive, there are no seasonal limits or size restrictions on catches. However, processing remains a bottleneck; federal law requires catfish to undergo U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspections, and currently only four processors in Maryland are equipped to meet these requirements.
For school districts and food banks, the initiative provides a source of affordable protein. According to Jenn Lovewell of the program Bay2Tray, the fish is being shipped to institutions as far away as Texas. In the school system, students in Maryland and Virginia see these fish served roughly twice a month. While the cost per meal was not specified, officials described it as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to other proteins that helps meet USDA standards.
Because blue catfish reproduce rapidly, experts like Beth Brewster and Jenn Lovewell state that millions of pounds must be harvested annually just to maintain current population levels. Eradication is considered unlikely. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources continues to encourage the public to keep all blue catfish caught, regardless of size. Processing capacity remains limited to four sites in Maryland, and any expansion of the program will depend on more facilities obtaining USDA inspection certifications.