DNR's Video

In honor of Steven Spielberg’s epic 1975 film about a great white shark, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources developed the MAWS parody to bring attention to the threat that nonnative blue catfish pose in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

Blue catfish were first introduced to the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem in Virginia in the 1970s. Following significant rains in 2018 and 2019, the invasive species spread throughout Maryland and into the rivers and streams that feed the Bay. Blue catfish are top predators that can weigh more than 80 pounds. They eat large amounts of other important species such as blue crabs, white perch, and menhaden. Blue catfish pose a significant threat to the overall ecosystem.

Maryland DNR is asking anglers, commercial fishermen, seafood sellers, and diners to catch, sell, and eat as many of this species as possible. Blue catfish hunt in the water column, and their white, flaky filets are delicious and nutritious. So get out there, save the blue crab and catch blue catfish. We hope you enjoy MAWS!

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