American Shad

Shad migrate up and down the East Coast, entering 64 birth rivers to spawn.

American shad stocks are now at all-time lows, according to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Recent declining populations of American shad were also tallied for Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Georgia stocks, and for the Hudson (NY), Susquehanna (PA), James (VA), and Edisto (SC) Rivers.

Studies indicate low but stable levels of American Shad in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, the Chesapeake Bay, the Rappahannock River (VA), and some ares of South Carolina and Florida.

American shad are among the most exciting fish to catch. Anglers fish for them using small jigs, shad darts, spoons, sabiki rigs or by fly fishing.

The fish are beautiful species and extremely tough fighters, known for their ability to run and make spectacular jumps.

Most recreational fishing for American shad occurs in the spring, when the fish enter rivers to spawn.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Shad & River Herring Management Board has approved the release of the Public Information Document (PID) for Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Shad and River Herring for public review and comment. As the first step in the development of an amendment, the PID presents a broad overview of the affecting American shad. It provides the public with the opportunity to tell the Commission about changes observed in the fishery; things that should or should not be done in terms of management, regulation, enforcement, research, development, and enhancement; and any other concerns about the resource or the fishery. The PID can be obtained via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News. It is anticipated that several of coastal states will be conducting public meetings on the PID; information on those meetings will be released once they become finalized.

The PID and subsequent amendment are being developed in response to the findings of the 2007 benchmark stock assessment for American shad, which indicates that American shad stocks are currently at all-time lows and do not appear to be recovering. Specific issues addressed in the PID are (1) incorporating the biological reference points and stock restoration goals identified in the 2007 benchmark stock assessment; (2) not increasing directed fisheries for American shad; and (3) restricting fisheries operating on stocks where total mortality is increasing and relative abundance is decreasing. The PID has been developed to address these issues by seeking public comment on the restoration of American shad fisheries and American shad fisheries management.

Following the initial phase of information-gathering and public comment, the Commission will evaluate potential management alternatives and develop a draft amendment for public review. Following that review and public comment, the Commission will specify the management measures to be included in the final amendment. A tentative schedule for the completion of the Amendment 3 is included in PID.

Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the PID, either through attending public hearings or providing written comments. Copies can be obtained by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400 or via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM on July 25, 2008 and should be forwarded to Erika Robbins, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, 1444 'Eye' Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (FAX) or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: American Shad). For more information, please contact Erika Robbins at (202) 289-6400.

source: ASMFC press release

The following information from ASMFC pertains to 2007 developments in American shad management plans:

In response to the findings of the 2007 benchmark stock assessment for American shad, indicating that American shad stocks are currently at all-time lows and do not appear to be recovering, the Commission's Shad and River Herring Management Board voted to initiate development of Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Shad and River Herring.

The first step in the amendment process is the creation of a Public Information Document (PID), presenting a broad overview of the issues facing the American shad resource, as well as a range of potential management measures affecting the stock and dependent fisheries. Specific issues to be addressed in the PID are (1) incorporating the biological reference points and stock rebuilding goals identified in the 2007 benchmark stock assessment; (2) restricting fisheries operating on stocks where total mortality is increasing and relative abundance is decreasing; and (3) limiting the expansion of directed American shad fisheries unless a state or jurisdiction with management oversight can demonstrate that an increase in harvest will not jeopardize the rebuilding or sustainability of the stock in question. The Shad Plan Development Team was also given the flexibility to include other options in the PID that it deems necessary (i.e., research needs, habitat restoration and enhancement, data collection) as it proceeds with the development of the PID.

The Draft PID will likely be presented to the Management Board at the Commission's Spring Meeting in May 2008. Upon its approval, it will be made available for public review and comment. It is anticipated that most states will also be conducting public hearings on the PID.

The Management Board also provided feedback on modifying the Draft PID for Amendment 2 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for River Herring. Initiated in response to concern about negative stock indicators and low landings levels for river herring, the document will solicit public comment on potential management actions to protect river herring stocks coastwide. Staff will be finalizing the document over the next several weeks and will release it for public review and comment upon its completion. For more information, please contact Erika Robbins, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, at 202/289-6400 or erobbins@asmfc.org.

States and jurisdictions from New Hampshire through South Carolina have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on the Public Information Document (PID) for Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Shad and River Herring. The dates, times, and locations of the scheduled meetings follow:

New Hampshire Fish and Game
June 17, 2008; 7:00 PM
Portsmouth Public Library
Hilton Garden Inn Meeting Room
175 Parrott Avenue
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Contact: Doug Grout (603) 868-1095

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
June 23, 2008; 6:30 PM
Annisquam River Marine Fisheries Station
30 Emerson Avenue
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Contact: Dr. Michael Armstrong (617) 727-3336

Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife
June 17, 2008; 6:00 PM
URI Narragansett Bay Campus
Corless Auditorium
215 South Ferry Road
Narragansett, RI 02882
Contact: Phillip Edwards at (401) 789-7481

Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
June 17, 2008; 7:00 PM
DEP Marine Fisheries Headquarters, Boating
Education Center
333 Ferry Road
Old Lyme, Connecticut
Contact: David Simpson at (860) 434-6043

New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation
June 17, 2008; 6:00 PM NYSDEC Stony Kill Farm Environmental Center
79 Farmstead Lane Wappingers Falls, New York
Contact: Kathy Hattala (845) 256-3071

New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
July 1, 2008; 7:00 PM
Nacote Creek Research Station
360 Route 9 North
Port Republic, New Jersey
Contact: Tom McCloy (609) 292-2083

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
July 1, 2008; 6:00 PM
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
1601 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Contact: Teresa Erdman (717) 705-7801

Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
July 7, 2008; 6:30 PM
Richardson and Robbins Building Auditorium
89 Kings Highway
Dover, Delaware
Contact: Craig Shirey (302) 739-9914

Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
July 1, 2008; 6:00 PM
Tawes State Office Building
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland
Contact: Bob Sadzinski (410) 643-6801

Virginia Marine Resources Commission
July 1, 2008; 6:00 PM
2600 Washington Ave, 4th floor
Newport News, Virginia
Contact: Jack Travelstead (757) 247-2247
Potomac River Fisheries Commission
June 19, 2008; 6:30 PM
Potomac River Fisheries Commission
222 Taylor Street
Colonial Beach, Virginia
Contact: A.C. Carpenter (804) 224-7148

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
July 2, 2008; 7:00 PM
College of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City Campus
FC Building Room 121A
1208 North Road Street
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Contact: Michelle Duval (252) 726-7021
July 8, 2008; 7:00 PM
Craven Community College, Room B212
800 College Court
New Bern, North Carolina
Contact: Michelle Duval (252) 726-7021

South Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources
June 30, 2008; 6:00 PM
Colleton Museum
239 N. Jefferies Blvd.
Walterboro, South Carolina
Contact: Bill Post (843) 953-9821

As the first step in the development of an amendment, the PID presents a broad overview of the factors affecting American shad. It provides the public with the opportunity to tell the Commission about changes observed in the fishery; things that should or should not be done in terms of management, regulation, enforcement, research, development, and enhancement; and any other concerns about the resource or the fishery. The PID can be obtained via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News. It is anticipated that several of coastal states will be conducting public meetings on the PID; information on those meetings will be released once they become finalized.

The PID and subsequent amendment are being developed in response to the findings of the 2007 benchmark stock assessment for American shad, which indicates that American shad stocks are currently at all-time lows and do not appear to be recovering. Specific issues addressed in the PID are (1) incorporating the biological reference points and stock restoration goals identified in the 2007 benchmark stock assessment; (2) not increasing directed fisheries for American shad; and (3) restricting fisheries operating on stocks where total mortality is increasing and relative abundance is decreasing. The PID has been developed to address these issues by seeking public comment on the restoration of American shad fisheries and American shad fisheries management.

Following the initial phase of information-gathering and public comment, the Commission will evaluate potential management alternatives and develop a draft amendment for public review. Following that review and public comment, the Commission will specify the management measures to be included in the final amendment. A tentative schedule for the completion of the Amendment 3 is included in PID.

Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the PID, either through attending public hearings or providing written comments. Copies can be obtained by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400 or via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM on July 25, 2008 and should be forwarded to Erika Robbins, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, 1444 'Eye' Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (FAX) or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: American Shad). For more information, please contact Erika Robbins at (202) 289-6400.

source: ASMFC press release