Wittman, Elfreth’s MAWS Act Passes Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) and Sarah Elfreth's (MD-03) Mitigation Action & Watermen Support (MAWS) Act was favorably reported out of the House Natural Resources Committee. This bipartisan legislation will combat the invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay. The MAWS Act will protect the seafood industry and preserve the health of the Bay by facilitating a new market for blue catfish in the pet and animal food industry. This legislation instructs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office to collect data on the impacts of this program on the biodiversity of the Bay and health of fish and crustacean populations.

"Having spent my life near the Chesapeake Bay, I understand how urgent it is that we protect the Bay's delicate ecosystem from blue catfish," said Rep. Wittman. "Blue catfish are an invasive species, and they're threatening the biodiversity of the Bay. The MAWS Act will facilitate a new market for these fish - protecting the seafood industry from economic harm and preserving the health of the Bay. I am proud to join Congresswoman Elfreth in leading this piece of legislation as it passes out of committee and I look forward to supporting it on the House Floor."

"Invasive blue catfish pose a direct ecological and economic threat to the Chesapeake Bay, which is why I introduced the bipartisan MAWS Act alongside Vice Chair Wittman to address the damage inflicted by blue catfish, while also strengthening our local seafood economy and providing a new source of protein to pets nationwide," said Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth. "While we can all do our part and order Blue Catfish when we see it on a menu - it's delicious - this is not a problem that we alone can eat our way out of."

Read the full bill text here.