PHOTO COURTESY CCA MARYLANDCoastal Conservation Association Maryland has launched the Great Chesapeake Invasive Count tournament, an initiative that will track and manage invasive species in Chesapeake Bay.
The program runs through March 31, 2025, and the CCA invites participants to compete for monthly prizes.
“We’re excited to expand the Great Chesapeake Invasives Count into a 12-month effort, providing more opportunities for anglers to take advantage of fishing opportunities for northern snakehead, blue catfish and flathead catfish throughout the watershed,” CCA Maryland executive director David Sikorski said in a statement.
Using the iAngler Tournament app, anglers can contribute to management efforts by reporting invasive species sightings and logging their catches. The app lets participants record the length, weight and stomach contents of the fish they catch. They can also provide a photo to allow for positive identification.
The data supports a broader understanding of the distribution of these fish and their impact. Each time an angler uploads a photo of a fish, he or she is entered into a monthly prize drawing.
CCA Maryland will join other conservation and Maryland-based organizations at the Bay Bridge Boat Show in a “Chesapeake Invasives Corner.” The show will also unveil Fish & Hunt Maryland’s catfish trail, a program aimed at spotlighting the state’s catfishing opportunities.
The boat show is scheduled for April 12-14 at Bay Bridge Marina in Stevensville, Md.
