The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced another USD 6 million (EUR 5.2 million) in funding to expand processing capacity for invasive wild blue catfish, matching the amount made available in 2025.
“Under the leadership of President Trump, the USDA is actively implementing actionable and innovative solutions like this one that solve serious challenges,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said in a release. “By investing in seafood processors, we can help our hardworking watermen remove invasive catfish from our waterways while strengthening the future of our rural communities.”
Since their introduction to the Chesapeake Bay watershed in the 1960s, blue catfish have spread rapidly. The invasive species has upset local ecosystems, and both state and federal governments have pushed to incentivize their removal. Tactics have involved expanded fishing opportunities, marketing pushes, and increased processing capacity to support commercial harvests.
Last year, USDA made USD 6 million in grant funding available through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program to grow processing capacity for invasive catfish. In March 2026, USDA issued USD 1 million (EUR 850,000) in grant funding each to two businesses: Arlington, Virginia, U.S.A.-based Chippin and Grasonville, Maryland, U.S.A.-based BSA Seafood.
On 9 September, USDA announced that it was again making USD 6 million in funding available for expanding catfish processing. U.S. Representative Andy Harris (R-Maryland) welcomed the move.
“Wild‑caught catfish processors on the Eastern Shore are playing a vital role in transforming an invasive species challenge into a growing commercial market that supports rural economies,” Harris said in a release. “By developing processing capacity for wild‑caught catfish, these businesses contribute to job creation, expand opportunities for watermen and seafood suppliers, and strengthen the broader food and agricultural supply chain. I am grateful that this USDA grant program has enabled investment opportunities like this one that support this important effort.”
Applications are due 7 December. Grants will range between USD 50,000 to USD 2 million (EUR 43,000 to EUR 1.7 million), with applicants expected to cover 20 percent of the total project cost.
