Mobile Courant

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has collaborated with U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) and several other senators to introduce a resolution designating August 2024 as National Catfish Month. Alabama ranks second nationally in farm-raised catfish production, with 66 farms covering 15,000 acres of surface water area. The industry employs over 2,400 individuals and contributes nearly $92 million to the state's economy. The Senate passed the resolution by unanimous consent on August 1.

“I am proud to sponsor this resolution which showcases the great role Alabama plays in catfish farming,” said Senator Tuberville. “Alabama’s catfish industry produces millions of dollars in revenue and provides thousands of jobs each year. As Alabama’s voice on the AG Committee, I am committed to promoting the significant industry catfish farming plays in our great state.”

The resolution reads:

“Whereas The Catfish Institute recognizes August to be National Catfish Month;

Whereas the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas recognize August to be National Catfish Month;

Whereas the States of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Tennessee embody the Channel Catfish as their State Fish;

Whereas the U.S. farm-raised Catfish industry employs nearly 10,000 people and creates more than $1.9 billion in economic output;

Whereas the United States had more than 50,000 surface water acres used for catfish production in 2023, and catfish growers in the United States had $439 million in sales during 2023;

Whereas the average catfish farmer produces 5,000 pounds of catfish per acre;

Whereas ninety-nine percent of all U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish are grown in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana,

Mississippi,

Missouri,

North Carolina,

and Texas;

Whereas catfish is the largest farm-raised seafood product by weight in the United States representing over 50 percent of

the United States aquaculture industry;

Whereas U.S. farm-raised catfish is consistently high quality and unlike ocean-caught fish is available all-yearlong at a price unaffected by external environmental conditions;

Whereas U.S. farm-raised catfish is a sustainable and environmentally friendly seafood product;

Whereas catfish is a lean fish and an excellent source of protein;

Whereas catfish is a versatile fish in American cuisine with a myriad of regional and national recipes to be enjoyed by all Americans; Now therefore be it

Resolved That:

(1) designates August 2024 as “National Catfish Month”;

(2) recognizes contributions from all workers past and present that produce process provide catfish for American people;

(3) recognizes that purchasing U.S.-farm raised supports farmers jobs economy.”

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate serving on Armed Services Agriculture Veterans’ Affairs HELP Committees.

###