WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $6 million in grant funding aimed at bolstering seafood processing infrastructure to combat the spread of invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay and boost the nation’s food supply chain resilience.
Announced by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, the funding will support independent processors working with wild-caught, invasive catfish. Grants will be awarded through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program and are intended to help build or upgrade facilities, purchase new equipment, adopt modern technologies, and train workers—all with the goal of expanding processing capacity and creating new markets.
In tandem with the grant initiative, USDA is launching a one-year pilot program in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture to purchase up to $2 million in blue catfish through Section 32 commodity procurement. The fish will be distributed to food banks and charitable networks, providing a reliable protein source while helping to reduce the impact of this harmful species on native ecosystems.
“The project here in Maryland is a win for rural communities, local fishermen, and families in need,” said Rollins during a visit to the region alongside Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD). “President Trump has directed us to think creatively and act swiftly to support America’s rural economy and ensure our food systems are strong and self-reliant.”
Rep. Harris praised the announcement, calling the funding a “big win” for Maryland’s coastal communities. He emphasized that blue catfish are an environmental threat to native fisheries, and this investment would directly support local economies and watermen working to protect the Bay.
Grant awards under the program will range from $250,000 to $1 million, and successful applicants must match 50 percent of their total project costs. The USDA emphasized that funds will go to initiatives that boost processing capabilities, reduce invasive species pressure, and improve regional seafood supply chains.
Applications must be submitted by October 6, 2025, through Grants.gov.
This latest move reflects a broader strategy by the Trump administration to enhance domestic food production and sustainability while addressing threats to marine ecosystems. The USDA has pointed to this effort as a model of coordinated federal, state, and local action that supports food security, job creation, and environmental stewardship.
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