Maryland

These fish are everywhere. Maryland only wants them on your dinner plate – WTOP News

Published

5 months ago

August 7, 2024

These fish are everywhere. Maryland only wants them on your dinner plate – WTOP News

The push is on to get blue catfish on more restaurant menus, dinner plates, and anywhere else that can keep the population manageable (if not eradicated) as they continue to overtake the Chesapeake Bay, eating almost everything in its sight.

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Can Maryland convince you to eat fish that aren’t native to the bay?

While there have been improvements, there remains a fragile ecosystem within the Chesapeake Bay. Among the growing problems are some of the animals that live and swim in those waters.

That’s because they’re not supposed to be in those waters but have found their way in and really enjoy it.

There are doubts in the state of Maryland that the invasive blue catfish will ever disappear. But the push is on to get it on more restaurant menus, dinner plates, and anywhere else that can keep the population manageable (if not eradicated) as they keep swimming north from the Virginia end of the Chesapeake Bay, eating almost everything in its sight.

“It’s kind of the perfect invasive species,” said Chris Jones, whose job with Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources is to focus on invasive species like the blue catfish and the Chesapeake Channa, also known as the snakehead fish.

People don’t necessarily think of a blue catfish as native to the Chesapeake region, so when it’s probably not something one thinks about ordering. The state is hoping to change that.

Maryland is launching a campaign aimed at making the blue catfish more popular as a meal. The effort includes publishing recipes and marketing that says your dinner makes a difference for the Bay and those who work on it.

At the same time, Jones is aware that the blue catfish problem probably can’t be eaten away, no matter how many you order, so they’re also investigating future uses of the blue catfish in pet food and for fertilizing compost.

“This is a great, delicious meat that can be cooked so many different ways and (for) so many different things, and provide a good, nutritious, delicious meal for folks,” said Jones. “This is a fish that’s commercially, recreationally viable. They’re delicious. They are abundant as they can be, and it provides a unique opportunity for watermen to make a living with something different, to fill some income or subsidize some of the other stuff that they tend to do.”

Scientists have found lots of animals, including rock fish, inside the bellies of blue catfish. But one of their favorite things to eat are the blue crabs that swim on the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

“Right out here in this Chester River, we didn’t have blue catfish five years ago. Now, we have commercial fishery based in the river. So it’s not very good,” said Jason Ruth, the owner of Harris Seafood Company on Kent Island. “I don’t know where the future is going to be in it, but we need to at least get it in check so they can keep the balance of all the other species that are here as well.”

Next door to the processing plant that Ruth operates sits Harris Crab House. And on the menu is a fried blue catfish po’boy sandwich.

“The fish is great,” said Ruth, who said it’s similar to perch, which are in abundance in the bay and also among an angler’s favorite to eat, though also really easy to catch. “It’s a nice, beautiful white fish. It’s flaky. It cooks up easy. It’s a cheap protein, and that’s what you need in today’s time.”

He hopes the fish will be featured on even more menus, and the state is trying to help.

“They are estimating that blue catfish are eating about 400 metric tons of blue crabs in a year, which is about 4% of the harvest of the state of Virginia,” said Jones. “But then consider that harvest crabs are five inches or larger. These blue catfish are working on juvenile crab. So 400 metric tons of juvenile crabs is a significantly larger quantity of crab than eating five inch, six inch, eight-inch crabs. So it’s become a huge problem.”

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Maryland

Eye Drops Recalled In MD Over Fungal Contamination

Published

1 hour ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Eye Drops Recalled In MD Over Fungal Contamination

MARYLAND — A major eye drop brand has issued a product recall in Maryland and across the United States for possible fungal contamination, which officials said could cause an eye infection and threaten users’ vision.

Alcon Laboratories is voluntarily recalling one lot of their Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF, Single Vials On-the-Go, which are in a 25-count package and are used to relieve dry eyes. The Texas-based company got a customer complaint of foreign material inside one of the sealed vials, which was determined “to be fungal in nature,” according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

If the contaminated drops are used, the fungus could cause an eye infection that may threaten the users’ vision and is potentially life-threatening for immunocompromised patients.

No customers have reported an infection thus far, according to the FDA recall announcement.

These recalled eye drops were shipped to retailers nationwide and also are available online, the FDA said.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The affected Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF, Single Vials On-the-Go is limited to lot number 10101, with an expiration date of September 2025. They come in a green and pink carton and are sold in quantities of 25. The lot number and expiration date are printed on the back of the box and each vial.

Any customers who have these eye drops in their homes are advised to stop using them immediately and return them to the place of purchase for a replacement or refund.

Alcon Laboratories is also notifying all its distributors and customers about the recall, and asks any retailers or distributors who still have these eye drops in stock to recall them.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Alcon Laboratories at 1-800-241-5999 between 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (Eastern), Monday to Friday. Anyone who experiences any problems that could be related to this product should contact their physician or healthcare provider, the FDA said.

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Maryland

Maryland can expect wet and warmer weather on the way after Christmas

Published

10 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Maryland can expect wet and warmer weather on the way after Christmas – CBS Baltimore

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With Christmas and hopefully pleasant memories now behind us, all eyes are on the final weekend of 2024, and the last few days of this year. Our forecast looks to be a calm one with, by Saturday through New Year’s Eve, a nice warm-up coming our way. Not just a push of mild air but warm air with daytime highs, and overnight lows, well above the seasonal average.

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Maryland

Top 25 Maryland Boys High School Basketball State Rankings (12/25/2024)

Published

21 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Top 25 Maryland Boys High School Basketball State Rankings (12/25/2024)

There’s no change at the top of the latest Maryland high school boys basketball Top 25 rankings. Bullis School, DeMatha Catholic, Georgetown Prep, St. Frances Academy and Glenelg Country School maintain their positions in the Top 5.

Edmondson-Westside is the biggest mover this week, going from 24th to No. 21 after knocking off then-No. 21 Baltimore City College. Prince George’s Christian Academy debuts at No. 22, thanks to its win over then-No. 20 Clinton Grace Academy.

Previous rank: 1

The Bulldogs, who lost in the Signature Series final at the City of Palms Classic in Florida, will play at the Jordan Brand Holiday Classic starting Friday.

Previous rank: 2

The Stags will play at the Governor’s Challenge in Salisbury, Friday and Saturday.

Previous rank: 3

The Little Hoyas will play at the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic in San Diego starting Thursday.

Previous rank: 4

The Panthers, who defeated No. 7 Our Lady of Mount Carmel in overtime, will play at the Jordan Brand Holiday Classic in New York, Saturday and Sunday.

Previous rank: 5

The Dragons will play at the Governor’s Challenge Saturday and Sunday.

Previous rank: 6

The Cavaliers will play at the Governor’s Challenge Friday and Saturday.

Previous rank: 7

The Cougars, who lost to DeMatha Catholic and St. Frances Academy, will play at the Mid Penn Bank Classic in Pennsylvania Friday and Saturday.

Previous rank: 8

The Gaels will play at the Junior Orange Bowl Classic in Florida starting Friday.

Previous rank: 9

The Warriors will play at the Governor’s Challenge Saturday and Sunday.

Previous rank: 10

The Lions will play at the Governor’s Challenge Friday and Saturday.

Previous rank: 11

The Bengals have scored 90 or more points four times.

Previous rank: 12

The Patriots, who dropped close decisions to No. 5 Glenelg Country School and No. 6 Archbishop Spalding, will play at the Benedictine Capital City Classic in Virginia starting Friday.

Previous rank: 13

The Lions rebounded from loss to SIdwell Friends School (D.C.) with victories over Mount Zion Prep-Blue team and New Hope Academy.

Previous rank: 15

The Dons, who’ve won three straight, will play at the Blue Jay Christmas Classic in New Orleans starting Friday.

Previous rank: 16

The Eagles will play at the Benedictine Capital City Classic starting Friday.

Previous rank: 14

The Mustangs, who went winless at the City of Palms Classic in Florida, will play Archbishop Wood (Pa.) at the Governor’s Challenge Monday..

Previous rank: 17

The Eagles will play at the Severna Park Winter Jam Tournament Thursday and Friday.

Previous rank: 18

The Lions have lost two of their last three decisions.

Previous rank: 19

The Crusaders knocked off District of Columbia No. 3 St. John’s College.

Previous rank: 22

The Pumas will host the Lou Wilson Holiday Tournament, Friday and Saturday.

Previous rank: 24

The Red Storm, who defeated then-No. 21 Baltimore City College, will play at the Governor’s Challenge Thursday and Friday.

Previous rank: Not ranked

The Flyers, who defeated then-No. 20 Clinton Grace Christian, will play at the Beach Ball Classic in South Carolina starting Friday.

Previous rank: 21

The Black Knights, who dropped decisions to then-No. 24 Edmondson-Westside and West Catholic Prep (Pa.) will play at the Governor’s Challenge, Friday and Saturday.

Previous rank: 23

The Seahawks will play at the Governor’s Challenge, Friday and Saturday.

Previous rank: 25

The Hubs will play at the Skip Fowler Memorial Tournament in West Virginia, Friday and Saturday.

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