June 25 on the calendar marks National Catfish Day, a designation that originated in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan to promote the importance of farm-raised catfish in the American diet.
According to the Orange Beach, Alabama website, catfish farming dates back to the 1960s and found its roots in the South due to warm climate and large amounts of water. Nearly 33% of all catfish produced in the United States comes from Alabama.
Catfish is a staple of the state of Alabama, especially across the Gulf Coast where numerous restaurants serve the dish grilled, blackened, or fried.
In 2022, the Cullman Tribune reported that Alabama’s catfish industry was on the rise tremendously and is the second biggest in the entire nation, with the western Black Belt region being key for farming.
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“The high concentration of clay in the soil makes the region a great place to build ponds that hold water well,” said Alabama Cooperative Extension System associate aquaculture professor Luke Roy in 2022. “The catfish industry is green and sustainable. Most catfish food is plant-based, and the fish is packed with protein. It’s also a long-standing southern tradition.”
Be sure to celebrate such an important day in Alabama and eat some catfish.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
