Subcommittee sends bill to appropriations to build markets for invasive blue catfish

The subcommittee voted unanimously to report HB 14‑65 to appropriations after Delegate Adelian Simons told members the bill would direct the Virginia Marine Products Board to add a full‑time position to seek grants and develop marketing and production opportunities for blue catfish.

‘‘Blue catfish are an invasive species causing a crisis in the Chesapeake Bay,’’ Simons said, arguing the species consume native shellfish and fish and that ‘‘we can eat our way out of this crisis’’ by supporting production and market development. She said the bill implements a recommendation of the blue catfish work group.

The subcommittee recorded a 10‑0 vote to refer the bill to the Appropriations Committee. Proponents framed HB 14‑65 as a market‑development measure intended to expand processing capacity and funding to convert an ecological challenge into an economic opportunity.