Researchers from Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are collaborating to address the growing threat of invasive blue catfish in the Delaware River ecosystem, writes Andrew Lewis for Delaware Currents.  

The issue, which first emerged a decade ago with the discovery of a blue catfish in the Christina River has since escalated.  

Mike Steiger, a fisheries biologist with Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, emphasized the urgency of this situation. 

The blue catfish is known for its adaptability and large appetite. It poses a significant risk to the river’s native species, including the endangered Atlantic sturgeon.  

The rapid reproduction of these fish, capable of producing hundreds of thousands of eggs, is contributing to their swift population increase in the Delaware River. 

Biologists like Steiger are spearheading efforts to monitor and manage the blue catfish population.  

This involves collaborative strategies across state lines, using both traditional methods and considering advanced techniques like eDNA sampling.  

Read more about how researchers are looking to curb the impact of blue catfish in the Delaware River in Delaware Currents.  

More about the Delaware River Watershed