This proposal describes a continuing study to estimate the relative abundance and assess the stock structure and status of american shad (alosa sapidissima) and river herring (a. Pseudoharengus, and…

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission received a $303,072 Sport Fish Restoration (CFDA 15.605) formula grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5, awarded November 1, 2025, with completion by September 30, 2028. This continuing study delivers fisheries monitoring and stock assessment services focused on American shad (Alosa sapidissima), river herring (A. pseudoharengus and A. aestivalis), and hickory shad (A. mediocris) populations across Virginia's three major Chesapeake Bay tributaries—the James, York, and Rappahannock Rivers. The grant funds spring 2025 spawning run monitoring using gill nets to estimate relative abundance, assess stock structure and status, and collect biological data including size, age composition, sex ratio, spawning history, and reproductive status.

The deliverables include catch rate monitoring via gill net surveys; characterization of bycatch impacts on recreationally important species including striped bass; river herring population surveys using anchor gill nets in the Chickahominy and Rappahannock Rivers; commercial bycatch allowance monitoring through purchases from permitted commercial fishers; pound net monitoring in the Rappahannock River and main stem Chesapeake Bay; and feasibility analyses for stock assessment development. All data collected contributes to coast-wide assessments coordinated with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and supports science-based management of these diadromous fish populations.

This proposal describes a continuing study to estimate the relative abundance and assess the stock structure and status of american shad (alosa sapidissima) and river herring (a. Pseudoharengus, and a. Aestivalis) stocks in virginia by monitoring the spawning runs of these fishes in the three major tributaries of the chesapeake BAY in virginia in spring 2025 and contributing to coast-wide assessments. Biological data and abundance of hickory shad (a. Mediocris) will also be collected and analyzed to initiate data collection on this species, and provided to the asmfc. Specific objectives are: 1) monitor catch rates of american shad during the spawning run using gill nets set in the james, york and rappahannock rivers; 2) describe the biological attributes (size, age composition, SEX ratio, spawning history, reproductive status) of the catch of american shad. 3) provide information useful for management of the american shad stocks. 4) characterize the bycatch of recreationally important species in staked gill nets and, for striped bass, determine the fraction of the catch that was dead at the time the nets were hauled. 5) survey for river herring in the chickahominy and rappahannock rivers using anchor gill nets, and monitor the catch rates of river herring during the spawning run. 6) describe the biological attributes (size, age composition, SEX ratio, spawning history, and reproductive status) of the catch of river herring. 7) provide information useful for management of river herring. 8) monitor bycatch and stock composition of american shad and river herring in pound nets in the rappahannock river and the main stem of the chesapeake BAY. 9) monitor the commercial bycatch allowance for american shad taken in gill nets in the james, york and rappahannock rivers by purchasing catch from commercial fishers with permits to sell shad; determine catch rates, and biological characteristics of these samples.10) conduct analyses to evaluate the feasibility of developing a sustainable fishing plan for river herring for a limited fishery on the chickahominy river. 11) further evaluate and correlate the catches of american shad between anchored and staked gill nets in the james and rappahannock rivers. 12) collect data and conduct analyses on hickory shad, describe the biological characteristics of this species in the rappahanock and chickahominy rivers, and calculate an abundance index for the species due to increasing concern by constituents regarding the status and management of this alosine species.