The black catfish, a species of fish originating in North America, was designated as a species of concern regarding invasive alien species by the European Union in 2022. Consequently, the EU has implemented strict regulations prohibiting the import, sale, private keeping, breeding, cultivation in private ponds, or release of this fish into the environment. Naturally, the black catfish inhabits waters across North America, with its natural range extending from the Great Lakes region down into northern Mexico.
Despite its native habitat, populations of the species have been documented across numerous European countries. These recorded locations include Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Poland, the Netherlands, Portugal, France, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Furthermore, individual instances of the fish have been identified in Belgium and Sweden.
The appearance of this species in various European water bodies is generally attributed to human activities, such as illegal release from captivity. This regulatory action underscores the ecological concern surrounding the species’ introduction outside its natural range. The listing highlights the need for controlled management to mitigate potential environmental impacts resulting from non-native populations.
Topics: #species #fish #north
