Preston Elementary School on Maryland’s Eastern Shore has begun offering blue catfish sandwiches as part of a local food initiative aimed at addressing an invasive species problem. The catfish cakes, nicknamed “catty patties,” have proven popular with students and are being served a couple of times per month alongside other lunch options. Beth Brewster, supervisor of food services for Caroline County Public Schools, developed the recipe in collaboration with her culinary team to create a dish that appeals to children while meeting federal dietary standards.
Blue catfish arrived in Chesapeake Bay tributaries during the 1970s when they were introduced to Virginia rivers for recreational fishing. State officials initially believed the fish would remain confined to freshwater portions of the rivers, but the species has since spread throughout the bay’s ecosystem. The fish has become an apex predator, with populations in some areas comprising approximately 70% of total fish biomass. Blue catfish consume young crabs, menhaden, and other forage fish species vital to the region’s seafood industry, raising concerns about the long-term health of native populations.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture approached school districts about eight years ago with the idea of using culinary solutions to help manage the invasive population. Brewster received USDA approval for her catfish cake recipe, allowing it to be served in schools across the country. The effort gained momentum after Brewster learned of a similar partnership between Virginia schools and Bay2Tray, a California-based program connecting seafood with educational institutions. Both Maryland and Virginia school districts are now participating in the initiative.
Branson Williams, manager of the Invasive Fishes Program for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, explained that blue catfish are freshwater species native to the Midwest that unexpectedly adapted to brackish conditions. Record rainfall in 2018 provided the conditions needed for the fish to expand beyond their initial river habitats. State officials are employing humans as the primary predator to control the population, a strategy also used in other regions where invasive species threaten local ecosystems, including Asian carp management in Kentucky and Illinois, and green crab control efforts in Maine and Washington state.
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