Malmquist, D. (2019). Study shows invasive blue catfish can tolerate high salinities. Retrieved 10 November 2019, from https://phys.org/news/2019-11-invasive-blue-catfish-tolerate-high.html 

The blue catfish, a species invasive to Chesapeake Bay tributaries, have been found to tolerate high salinities than most native freshwater fish. As a result, the invasive species has expanded to the Delaware Bay.  The blue catfish feeds on the native vegetation and mollusks in the region. The density of the blue catfish, with up to 220 fish per acre, allows the species to outcompete the native white catfish. In an experiment, blue catfish were found to be able to survive in water of around 17 psu (practical salinity units) for up to 3 days. This demonstrates that blue catfish could expand and survive in the downstream regions of the Virginia Bay. Researchers highlighted that the larger the catfish, the more likely it is to survive brackish or salty water. 

If the blue catfish population continues to grow, the native vegetation and aquatic wildlife communities will become depleted. Since the blue catfish was introduced during the 1970s to bolster fisheries and replenish recreational fishing spots, we should be more cautious about the species humans intentionally introduce or interfere with. In order to mitigate the spread of the blue catfish, local government should encourage recreational fishers to target large catfish. Since the largest catfish are the most likely to survive in brackish water, this policy would prevent more blue catfish from expanding towards the coast.