WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., along with U.S. Senators Richard Shelby, R-Ala., John Cornyn, R-Texas, John Boozman, R-Ark., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Bill Cassidy, R-La., Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., today praised Senate passage of their resolution to designate August 2021 as National Catfish Month.

The resolution recognizes the importance of catfish farmers and workers, and commends the contributions of the farm-raised catfish industry to the economy.

“Catfish is a source of pride for Mississippi and a big part of our state’s economy,” Wicker said. “Farm-raised catfish is wholesome, delicious, and already accounts for more than 50 percent of the United States’ aquaculture industry. Designating the month of August as National Catfish Month recognizes the impact of catfish producers and helps to share this pride with the rest of the nation.”

“As a voice for all of Georgia’s farmers including our catfish producers and workers, I am proud to recognize August as National Catfish Month in observance of the commitment and dedication of our producers across the state who provide nutritious and great-tasting catfish to families in Georgia and beyond,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “From our producers in Hawkinsville, to Lizella, to White Oak and all across Georgia, we are grateful for the service of our catfish producers and their contributions to our state’s agricultural and economic success.”

“Farm-raised catfish not only makes for a great meal, it also supports thousands of jobs and contributes millions of dollars in economic activity for Arkansas,” Boozman said. “As the birthplace of warm water aquaculture our producers are resilient, experienced and mostly family-owned operations that do a tremendous job meeting consumers’ needs. I’m proud to join my colleagues to mark National Catfish Month and celebrate the entire industry.”

“I am proud to join my colleagues on this resolution recognizing the value of catfish to Texas producers and the state economy. Texas has always played a leading role in innovation and conservation for the farm-raised catfish industry, and I look forward to highlighting this rich history every August with National Catfish Month,” said Cruz.

“Arkansas fish farmers raise the highest quality catfish available in the world—and they work hard to do so. Our producers not only provide a classic and delicious protein for Americans around the country, but they also create jobs. I’m proud to support this bill to recognize all U.S. catfish farmers and workers,” said Cotton.

“Farm-raised Catfish production is a standout industry for Mississippi – consistently ranking first in the nation – as it stokes our state’s economy and helps to feed our entire nation,” Hyde-Smith said. “Mississippians take pride in the quality of our farm-raised catfish, and designating August as ‘National Catfish Month’ is a way to recognize and commend our farmers, processors and workers for the major role they play in our national aquaculture industry.”

“Catfish producers play a large role in our state’s agricultural economy, in fact Alabama’s catfish industry has a hand in producing more than 30 percent of all catfish nationwide. From catfish producers to consumers, Alabamians are proud to be a vital part of this industry. I’m proud to join my Senate colleagues in recognizing National Catfish Month,” said Senator Tuberville.

Read the full resolution text here or below:

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 farm-raised catfish industry in the United States employs nearly 10,000 people and contributes more than $4,000,000,000 to the economy of the United States;

Whereas the United States has 89,400 surface water acres used for catfish production in 2021, and catfish growers in the United States had $371,000,000 in sales during 2020;

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

Whereas 99 percent of all United States 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 more than 50 percent of the United States aquaculture industry;

Whereas United States farm-raised catfish are consistently high quality and, unlike ocean-caught fish, are available all-year long;

Whereas United States farm-raised catfish are a sustainable and environmentally friendly seafood product;

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

Whereas catfish is a versatile fish in cuisine of the United States, with a myriad of regional and national recipes to be enjoyed by all people of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) designates August 2021 as ‘‘National Catfish Month’’

(2) recognizes the contributions of all workers, past and present, that produce, process, and provide catfish for the people of the United States; and

(3) recognizes that purchasing United States farm-raised catfish supports farmers, jobs, and the economy of the United States.