Officials pass bill to turn invasive catfish into pet food: 'They are completely safe'

In March, the House of Representatives passed the Mitigation Action & Waterman Support Act to encourage the use of invasive blue catfish as pet food, WTOP reported.

Blue catfish are a serious problem in the Chesapeake Bay. They are voracious eaters, devouring a wide variety of other species and decimating populations of fish, crabs, clams, and crayfish.

This is a common problem when new species are introduced to an unfamiliar habitat. While some species struggle to gain a foothold, others are a bit too successful.

When this happens, the new species can outcompete native animals and plants. In some cases, it simply encroaches upon space and resources, while in others, it actively preys on native species.

Displaced species can be destructive in other ways, such as growing into and damaging structures.

One of the most effective ways to control introduced species is to give locals a reason to harvest them — and one of the best motivators is a species that makes an appetizing meal.

Similar tactics have been tried with everything from bullfrogs to lionfish, not to mention a wide variety of edible plants.

Blue catfish are also edible — to a point. According to WTOP, blue catfish weighing 8 to 25 pounds are suitable for people to eat.

"This means there are tens of millions of fish over 25 pounds, or up to 85 pounds, actually, that watermen struggle to sell because they cannot be processed for human consumption, and the market is not there," said Rep. Sarah Elfreth, who introduced the bill. 

"Fortunately, they are completely safe for inclusion in the pet food industry," Elfreth added.

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The new bill would establish a two-year pilot program with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, providing grants for animal food manufacturers to buy blue catfish and to collect data on how harvesting this species affects the food web in the Chesapeake Bay.

While opponents fear the program could make blue catfish less appetizing to humans, supporters hope it will help remove this problematic species from a struggling ecosystem.

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