Maryland is taking another swing at its growing blue catfish problem, this time with gill nets.

Gov. Wes Moore recently signed legislation allowing the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to study the use of gill nets for commercial harvesting the invasive species.

Blue catfish have become a persistent issue in the Chesapeake Bay, where their aggressive feeding habits and rapid reproduction threaten native species– particularly blue crab, a cornerstone of the region’s commercial fishery.

The move builds on Maryland’s Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program, launched after years of effort to shift public perception and build markets for the fish. “We really needed to do some homework on working with Maryland Department of Agriculture, their Seafood Marketing Program, to get folks on board with understanding that blue catfish is not a bottom feeder, and working with Maryland Department of the Environment to understand what the safety risks are and that catfish in general are a good source of protein,” Freshwater Fisheries and Hatcheries Division statewide operations manager Joseph Love.

So far, results from pilot efforts have been mixed. Programs allowing charter captains to sell catch and expanded trotline use haven’t significantly reduced populations. Electrofishing– where fish are stunned and collected at the surface has shown more promise, landing about 6,800 pounds.

The newly approved measure (HB0947) will allow DNR to evaluate whether commercial fishermen could target blue catfish more effectively with gill nets and legally sell the catch. The study will also look closely at bycatch risks, with mesh sizes and seasonal rules already tightly regulated.