Source: Pet Food Industry
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has introduced the Mitigation Action and Watermen Support (MAWS) Act, aimed at tackling the ecological threat of invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay. The bill proposes a two-year pilot program, administered by NOAA, to support pet and animal food manufacturers in incorporating blue catfish into their products. The initiative seeks to remove millions of pounds of the predatory species, which endangers native marine life like blue crabs and oysters, while creating a sustainable protein source for pet food and boosting the local seafood economy.
Grants would fund the infrastructure needed for harvesting, processing, and transporting the fish, incentivizing watermen to aid in its removal. The legislation has received strong support from the pet and feed industries, including endorsements from the Pet Food Institute and the American Feed Industry Association. NOAA will track the program’s environmental and economic outcomes and report to Congress with recommendations for potential expansion.