Biology and Management of the American Shad and Status of the Fisheries, Atlantic Coast of the United States, 1960

This paper summarizes current information on the American shad, Alosa sapidissima, and describes the species and its fishery. Emphasis is placed on (1) life history of the fish, (2) condition of the fishery by State and water areas in 1960 compared to 1896 when the last comprehensive description was made, (3) factors responsible for decline in abundance, and (4) management measures. The shad fishery has changed little over the past three-quarters of a century, except in magnitude of yield. Types of shad-fishing gear have remained relatively unchanged, but many improvements have been made in fishing techniques, mostly to achieve economy. In 1896 the estimated catch was more than 50 million pounds. New Jersey ranked first in production with about 14 million pounds, and Virginia second with 11 million pounds. In 1960 the estimated catch was slightly more than 8 million pounds. Maryland ranked first in production with slightly more than 1.5 million pounds, Virginia second with slightly less than 1.4 million pounds, and North Carolina third with about 1.3 million pounds. Biological and economic factors blamed for the decline in shad abundance, such as physical changes in the environment, construction of dams, pollution, over-fishing, and natural cycles of abundance, are discussed. Also discussed are methods used for the rehabilitation and management of the fishery, such as artificial propagation, installation of fish-passage facilities at impoundments, and fishing regulations. With our present knowledge, we can manage individual shad populations; but, we probably cannot restore the shad to its former peak of abundance

Experimental transportation of live shad past Susquehanna River dams /

"January 1954."Includes bibliographical references (page 13).Mode of access: Internet

Relative abundance of Maryland shad, 1944-52 /

Before Maryland can intelligently manage her shad fishery, Virginia must establish a system of collecting catch and effort statistics. With each State collecting these statistics, the shad fishery of Chesapeake Bay could be studied as a unit to determine the best management methods.The evaluation of the relation between factors which might cause changes in the size of the Maryland shad population is complicated because the effect of the Virginia shad fishery on the Maryland shad population is unknown. Without knowledge of this effect, the influence of other factors affectig the Maryland populationis obscured.Each year, the Maryland Department of Research and Education obtains catch and effort statistics from all commercial shad fisheries in Maryland waters as part of the Maryland Management Plan. These data for the years 1944 to 1952 wre used in conjunction with a tagging experiment, to estimate fishing effort, fishing rate, catch, size of run, and spawning escapement for each of these years. It was found that effort had increased almost twofld, despite the operation of a plan designed to keep it constant.Research supported by the United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service.Includes bibliographical references (p. 16-17).Literature cited.Summary.Recommendations.Changes in the Maryland shad fishery and shad runs.Estimates of total population, 1944-51.Tagging study, 1952.Catch and effort statistics.History of the fishery.Description of the fishery.Before Maryland can intelligently manage her shad fishery, Virginia must establish a system of collecting catch and effort statistics. With each State collecting these statistics, the shad fishery of Chesapeake Bay could be studied as a unit to determine the best management methods.The evaluation of the relation between factors which might cause changes in the size of the Maryland shad population is complicated because the effect of the Virginia shad fishery on the Maryland shad population is unknown. Without knowledge of this effect, the influence of other factors affectig the Maryland populationis obscured.Each year, the Maryland Department of Research and Education obtains catch and effort statistics from all commercial shad fisheries in Maryland waters as part of the Maryland Management Plan. These data for the years 1944 to 1952 wre used in conjunction with a tagging experiment, to estimate fishing effort, fishing rate, catch, size of run, and spawning escapement for each of these years. It was found that effort had increased almost twofld, despite the operation of a plan designed to keep it constant.Mode of access: Internet