Maryland Is Recruiting Mercenary Anglers To Hunt Down A Fish That Breathes Air And Travels On Land

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http://www.businessinsider.com/r-maryland-seeks-to-lure-anglers-to-join-frankenfish-battle-2014-24


Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Biologist John Odenkirk handles a large northern snakehead fish aboard his stunboat in waters off the Potomac River, Virginia May 23, 2013.

ANNAPOLIS Md. (Reuters) - Maryland officials are hoping that the prospect of landing a record fish will enlist anglers in the battle against the northern snakehead, a voracious newcomer dubbed "Frankenfish."

The invasive snakehead, which can breathe air and travel short distances over land, has spread throughout much of the Potomac River basin in Virginia and Maryland in the last decade, snapping up anything in front of it.

The new program to be formally announced next week sets official records for snakeheads caught in Maryland waters. The first state record was a 16.78-pound (7.61-kg) snakehead set on June 1.

That record was broken two hours later by a snakehead weighing 16.94 pounds (7.68 kg). Both fishermen will receive award plaques.



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