Congressman Harris Announces $6 Million USDA Investment in Invasive Catfish Processing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, today announced $6 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant funding to expand processing capacity for invasive wild-caught catfish.

The funding, available through USDA Rural Development’s Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program, will provide grants of $50,000 to $2 million to help eligible processors expand facilities, purchase equipment, and increase invasive catfish processing capacity. Applications are due December 7, 2026, through Grants.gov.

Statement from Congressman Harris:

“Invasive blue catfish are reducing the blue crab and native fish populations that Maryland watermen harvest and sell. Increasing processing capacity will strengthen the market for wild-caught catfish, expand opportunities for watermen and seafood processors, and remove more invasive fish from the Bay. I thank Secretary Rollins and USDA for making this funding available to protect the Chesapeake Bay and strengthen Maryland’s seafood economy.”

To read USDA’s full press release, click here.

For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at Michella.Carter@mail.house.gov