Alternative Title
Anadromous Fish Project
Document Type
Report
Department/Program
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Publication Date
1969
Abstract
Estimates of average annual mortality rates were derived. from the decline in numbers of repeat river herring spawners each year. in the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers. The 1961 year-class contributed slightly more than 6 million fish to the fishery since 1965 while the 1962 year-class contributed nearly 5 million fish. Estimates could not be made for the James and York Rivers because the catch could not be measured. Fishing effort generally declined from 1968 in all major rivers with the Potomac River exhibiting the greatest decline. The catch of river herring in 1969 was generally lower than in 1968. Shad catches exhibited a similar ·trend·except in the Rappahannock River where the catch increased somewhat.
Seaward migration of juyenile alosids was complete in the Potomac River by late November and in the Rappahannock River by mid-December.
The spawning area in the James River is the mainstream and its tributaries between ,JA 40 and JA 70. The nursery lies between JA 30 and JA 84. The greatest concentration ?f juveniles was found between JA 60 and Turkey Island Oxbow. Flooding caused by Hurricane Camille during August displaced juvenile alosids some 20 to 30 miles downstream.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.25773/an2q-dc19
Keywords
Alosa -- Virginia, Anadromous fishes -- Virginia, Atlantic herring fisheries -- Virginia, Shad fisheries -- Virginia
Recommended Citation
Davis, J., Miller, J. P., & Warriner, J. (1969) Biology and utilization of anadromous alosids: Annual progress report (October 1, 1968 - September 30, 1969. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary. https://doi.org/10.25773/an2q-dc19
