Flathead Spread
The native range (dark brown) and introduced range (red) of the flathead catfish. Image courtesy USGS.
DB: This is Earth and Sky. The flathead catfish is a native of the Mississippi River drainage area in the U.S.
JB: But it was introduced as a sportfish in the 1950s and 60s into coastal rivers of the southeastern U.S. And now the flathead has devestated many native fish species. Tom Kwak is a researcher at North Carolina State University. He’s part of a four-year project – now in its third year – to study the flathead catfish.
Tom Kwak: First of all, just understanding a fish species is the most important thing that a management agency can do to begin managing it.
DB: You might think of a catfish as sedentary. But in North Carolina – where flatheads are alien species – Kwak found that this fish can move 50 kilometers – about 30 miles – in just weeks.
Tom Kwak: A primary message in the research is that we have to stop the spread of the species any further . . . The fish seems to be moving, probably helped out by people, to get into new rivers.
JB: Anglers know about “catch and release” programs in some waters. But Kwak recommends that anglers who catch flathead catfish “harvest” them – or remove them – to keep them from doing more damage.
DB: Thanks today to the U.S. Forest Service and to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – supporting the conservation of native fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. We’re Block and Byrd for Earth and Sky.
The following individual was interviewed for today’s show. Our thanks to:
Tom Kwak
Unit Leader and Associate Professor
U.S. Geological Survey
North Carolina Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
Additional Teacher Resources
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, New Jersey Field Office: The Insidious Flathead Catfish
This article discusses how fishery biologists are dealing with the “alien flathead” an insidious fish that was introduced to the Deleware River watershed. Although historically, the distribution of the flathead was limited to the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio River watersheds, it has now been released into watershed throughout North America. The article explains the implications of these catfish in various ecosystems.
Invasivespecies.gov, A Gateway to Federal and State Invasive Species Activities and Programs: Flathead Catfish
This site provides a variety of links to pages and information related to the flathead catfish as an invasive species. It includes images and recent news from the Federal Government, State Governments, Universities, and International Organizations.
