Ecological Role of Blue Catfish in Chesapeake Bay Communities and Implications for Management

Authors

Ryan W. Schloesser, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Mary C. Fabrizio, Virginia Institute of Marine ScienceFollow
Robert J. Latour, Virginia Institute of Marine ScienceFollow
Greg C. Garman
Bob Greenlee
Mary Groves
James Gartland, Virginia Institute of Marine ScienceFollow

Files

Document Type

Book Chapter

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Editors

Michaletz, PH; Travnichek, VH, editors

Publication Date

2011

Book Title

Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: 2nd International Catfish Symposium 2010

Publisher

American Fisheries Society

Volume

77

Series

American Fisheries Society Symposium

Abstract

Rapid increase in abundance and expanded distribution of introduced blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus populations in the Chesapeake Bay watershed have raised regional management concerns. This study uses information from multiple surveys to examine expansion of blue catfish populations and document their role in tidal river communities. Originally stocked in the James, York, and Rappahannock River systems for development of commercial and recreational fisheries, blue catfish have now been documented in adjacent rivers and have expanded their within-river distribution to oligo- and mesohaline environments. Range expansions coincided with periods of peak abundance in 1996 and 2003 and with the concurrent decline in abundance of native white catfish I. catus. Blue catfish in these systems use a diverse prey base; various amphipod species typically dominate the diet of smaller individuals ([FL]), and fishes are common prey for larger blue catfish (>300 mm FL). Recent studies based on stable isotope analyses suggest that adult blue catfish in these systems are apex predators that feed extensively on important fishery resources, including anadromous shads and herrings Alosa spp. and juvenile Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus. Minimizing effects on Chesapeake Bay communities by controlling high densities of blue catfish populations is a primary goal of management, but conflicting demands of the commercial and recreational sectors must be resolved. Further, low market demand and human consumption concerns associated with purported accumulation of contaminants in blue catfish pose additional complications for regulating these fisheries.

Keywords

Blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, Chesapeake Bay

Recommended Citation

Schloesser, Ryan W.; Fabrizio, Mary C.; Latour, Robert J.; Garman, Greg C.; Greenlee, Bob; Groves, Mary; and Gartland, James, "Ecological Role of Blue Catfish in Chesapeake Bay Communities and Implications for Management" (2011). VIMS Books and Book Chapters. 10.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/vimsbooks/10