Document Type
Report
Department/Program
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Publication Date
1-21-2022
Abstract
This report describes the results of a continuing study to estimate the relative abundance and assess the status of American shad (Alosa sapidissima) stocks in Virginia by monitoring the spawning runs in the James, York and Rappahannock rivers in spring 2022, evaluating hatchery programs and contributing to coast-wide assessments (ASMFC 2007a; ASMFC 2020). We also report on a fishery-independent monitoring program to determine abundance and stock structure of river herring (A. pseudoharengus, and A. aestivalis) in Virginia by evaluating the adult spawning runs in the Chickahominy River, a major tributary of the James River, and the Rappahannock River. Further, a recently added objective of this study was to complement the monitoring of the adult spawning population of American shad and river herring in the James River system by monitoring juvenile alosines by using nighttime surface trawls in the Chickahominy River and calculate an index of juvenile abundance. Additional objectives were to monitor bycatch of American shad in a permitted gillnet fishery and American shad and river herring in pound net fisheries.
Description
Submitted to Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
Contract Number: F-116-R25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.25773/rqpb-ev40
Keywords
shad, shad fisheries, alewife, blueback herring, Virginia
Funding
US Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Contract no. F-116-R25. Project period: 15 November 2021 - 14 November 2022.
Recommended Citation
Hilton, E.J., P.E. McGrath, B.E. Watkins & A.R. Magee. (2023) Monitoring Relative Abundance of American shad and River Herring in Virginia's Rivers. 2022 Annual Report. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary. https://doi.org/10.25773/rqpb-ev40
Included in
Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons
