"They gotta catch me first!"
Posted on 05/31/2012 8:13:01 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
If Maryland has its way, an invasive enemy could become a nontraditional entree.
Ten years after the northern snakehead was first caught in a local pond, the animal once dubbed “Frankenfish” has established a habitat and lived up to its reputation as an adaptable, aggressive and all-consuming predator.
But unlike the protections afforded to the other mascots of Maryland’s waterways, the sacred blue crab and the beloved rockfish, environmental officials are encouraging area anglers to kill and cook as many of the scaly monsters as possible — a prospect local chefs say is surprisingly palatable.
“The big difference between snakehead and regular fish is, it’s very dense and very clean tasting,” said Baltimore chef Chad Wells. “It tastes more like an ocean fish would taste. It’s very mild. You grill it up like a piece of chicken, but it’s flaky like a fish.”
On Saturday, Smallwood State Park in Marbury, Md., plays host to a snakehead-fishing festival — a combination tournament and cookout that organizers hope can make a dent in the snakehead population.
What’s on the menu? Fresh-caught Frankenfish, of course.
“The goal of this is to eat the last fish, eat the last bite,” said Mr. Wells, who is set to make seviche from the fish on Saturday. “We’re all there for the same reason, to try to protect that watershed. This is something we can feel good about killing.”
Potomac Snakehead Tournament director Austin Murphy called Saturday’s event “a small tournament with a huge environmental impact.”
“We’re looking to harvest at least 800 pounds of snakeheads out of the water,” he said. “That’s the minimum goal.”
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Freaky fish in a freaky state.
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
Is this the one that jumps out of the water when boats get close and is dangerous to water skiiers?
Or is this the one that wriggles out of the ponds and creeks in a rain storm and wriggles down paved roads looking for unexplored puddles and water filled ditches?
You’re thinking of Asian Carp.
"They gotta catch me first!"
Flying Carp.
I like it.
I say we marinate the offensive fish in coconut milk, chili’s, ginger, scallions and cracked coriander seed.
LOL!
Why couldn’t they just let people adopt them into good homes?
These are nippy beasts, so you wouldn’t want to catch them with redneck catfish bait (i.e. your arm). Sounds like Maryland may have found itself a great new seafood export.
Am I crazy, or does it seem China - or Chinese sympathizers/aka Commies - are dumping Chinese species all over our country? Every time I hear about a “new” species of fish, or mosquito, or beetle or whatever, it’s Chinese. I swear.
rofl
To #8:
Obama’s codename is “Snakehead”.
“Flying Crap.”
Another introduced species, the “Blue Lipped Kenyan Flying Crap”.
I highly recommend trying some.
I live in Thailand and they are native here. I buy some regularly at the local markets. Very good.
LOL!
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