Eat More Fish - Blue Catfish
Dive into Delicious Conservation with “Eat More Fish – Blue Catfish Edition”
Are you hungry to incorporate more seafood into your diet? What if you could serve it with a side of environmental conservation?
Virginia Cooperative Extension’s 'Eat More Fish – Blue Catfish Edition' invites you to turn the tables on an invasive species threatening the Chesapeake Bay by exploring the delicious culinary potential of blue catfish.
The free webinar series is designed to educate consumers about blue catfish, highlighting its environmental impact, seafood industry opportunities, important food safety considerations, and culinary potential. Hear from seafood industry experts, Extension specialists, and seasoned chefs to help you explore the full potential of this underutilized fish.
"This program is all about getting people excited about blue catfish, building their appetite for it, and boosting their confidence in cooking this tasty, sustainable seafood," said Katheryn Parraga, muscle food safety specialist at the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC).
Program Highlights:
- Ecological Impact: Learn about the history, introduction, and environmental effects of blue catfish on the Chesapeake Bay.
- Food Safety and Sourcing: Learn safe handling practices, tips for selecting quality blue catfish at the market, and considerations for anglers.
- Industry Perspectives: Hear from seafood professionals about the blue catfish’s impacts, as well as its potential and efforts to support a growing market.
- Cooking Demonstrations: Watch cooking demonstrations and learn recipes to confidently prepare blue catfish at home.
Getting to Know Blue Catfish
Week 1 - September 11, 2024
- Discover the history of blue catfish and its introduction to the Chesapeake Bay
- Learn about how utilizing blue catfish as a commercial species can benefit the Bay and the seafood industry
- Hear from a watermen, a seafood industry representative, and a restaurant owner about the changes, impacts, and opportunities they've observed due to blue catfish
The Problem With Invasive Blue Catfish
Week 2 - September 18, 2024
- Blue Catfish and its impact on the Chesapeake Bay
- Recreational sport fishing
- Consumer preference around blue catfish
Let's Cook!
Week 3 - September 25, 2024
- Ensure food safety with essential considerations and tips
- What to look for when buying fish
- The art of filleting and preparing blue catfish at home - demonstration video
- Cooking demonstrations - Three easy recipes for preparing meals with Wild Chesapeake Bay Blue Catfish at home
Additional resources
Partner Websites:
We are delighted to have resources and presentations from representatives of the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Virginia Marine Products Board, Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Shored Up, and Oyster South.
Resources to Learn More:
- Icing Your Catch - Video about strategies to properly icing fish during transport home and storage to preserve its quality and safety
- Training Courses for Culinary Seafood Professionals
- Video - Virginia's Seafood Industry Boosts State's Economy by 1.1 Billion
- Report and Infographics - The Economic Impact of the Virginia Seafood Industry
- Regional Flavors Information
For more information or to access presentation materials, contact speakers and organizers at the email(s) below.
This program is presented by Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia State University, Virginia Tech, Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center with Virginia Sea Grant, and the Virginia Marine Products Board.