U.S. Representative Andy Harris (R-Maryland) is highlighting the concerns of Maryland catfish harvesters over a bill that would promote the fish’s use in pet food, arguing that it would undermine efforts to market catfish for human consumption.
“Seafood processors on the Eastern Shore have spent years developing commercial markets for wild-caught blue catfish. Their work helps remove an invasive species from the Chesapeake Bay while supporting watermen, seafood businesses, and local jobs,” Harris said. “Now is not the time to undercut the great work of these small businesses and existing investments made by the taxpayers by subsidizing the purchase of product suitable for human consumption for the sole benefit of pet food companies – especially when these processors are already selling fish byproducts unsuitable for human consumption for the purposes of conversion into pet food.”
Harris’ colleague in the House, U.S. Representative Sarah Elfreth (D-Maryland), introduced the Mitigation Action and Watermen Support (MAWS) Act last year. If passed, the bill would establish a three-year pilot program to provide grants for incorporating blue catfish into pet and animal food. During a January U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources meeting, Elfreth argued that there are plenty of catfish that aren’t suited to human consumption, and the pet food industry offered another destination for those fish.
“The market is not actually solving the problem itself. We have many that are below 1 or 2 pounds – or over 25 pounds – and it’s certainly a problem. So, this is an innovative solution, trying to open up a new market for these catfish in the pet food industry but also doing it in such a way that’s going to support our hardworking watermen,” Elfreth said.
However, Maryland catfish companies are now pushing back on the bill, saying that using catfish for pet food undermines their efforts to present the species as a high-quality fish. In a joint letter, Tilghman-based Tilghman Island Seafood, Grasonville-based BSA Seafood, Elkridge-based J.J. McDonnell Seafood, and Jessup-based Reliant Fish Company outlined their opposition to the bill.
“For several years, our businesses have worked alongside the Maryland Department of Agriculture and other state and federal partners to invest significant time and financial resources into building a viable commercial market for wild-caught blue catfish,” the companies said. “This effort has required overcoming longstanding public stigma and educating consumers that blue catfish is not only safe, but a high-quality and desirable protein-rich seafood product. Progress has been hard-won. The MAWS Act, however well-intentioned, risks undermining this progress by shifting public messaging toward the use of blue catfish primarily for pet food or similar byproducts.”
In a statement, Harris elevated the companies’ concerns and backed their opposition to the bill.
“While the MAWS Act may be a well-intentioned proposal to combat the blue-catfish crisis, I cannot support it. I stand with the small business owners raising these concerns and will continue fighting to protect the market they’ve worked so hard to create,” Harris said.
