U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that USDA is opening a $6 million grant funding opportunity for seafood processors engaged in processing invasive wild-caught catfish. This funding opportunity will support fishermen and watermen by expanding processing operations, which will expand the food supply chain, and create new and better markets for processing invasive, wild-caught catfish.
“Under the leadership of President Trump, the USDA is actively implementing actionable and innovative solutions like this one that solve serious challenges,” said Secretary Rollins. “By investing in seafood processors, we can help our hardworking watermen remove invasive catfish from our waterways while strengthening the future of our rural communities.”
“Wild‑caught catfish processors on the Eastern Shore are playing a vital role in transforming an invasive species challenge into a growing commercial market that supports rural economies,” said Maryland Representative Andy Harris. “By developing processing capacity for wild‑caught catfish, these businesses contribute to job creation, expand opportunities for watermen and seafood suppliers, and strengthen the broader food and agricultural supply chain. I am grateful that this USDA grant program has enabled investment opportunities like this one that support this important effort.”
USDA Rural Development is making $6 million available through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP). Under this new round of program funding, MPPEP Phase 3 Round 2 will provide an opportunity for the processing of wild-caught invasive catfish.
Source : usda.gov