Florida's Shad and River Herrings (Alosa species): A Review of Population and Fishery Characteristics

Five species of shad and river herrings occur in Florida.American shad (Alosa sapidissima), hickory shad (A. mediocris), and blueback herring (A. aestivalis) occur innortheast Florida. Alabama shad (A. alabamae) andskipjack herring (A. chrysochloris) are present in northwestFlorida. With the possible exception of skipjackherring, these species are anadromous, spawning inrivers and spending most of their adult lives at sea.Thesea migration of Alosa species can extend into internationalwaters. For example, locally spawnedAmerican shad migrate to Canada before returning toFlorida to spawn.

Publisher - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)

Subjects - Fish, American Shad, Alosa sapidissima; Fish, Blueback Herring, Alosa aestivalis; Fish, Hickory Shad, Alosa mediocris; Fish, Alabama Shad, Alosa alabamae; Fish, Skipjack Herring, Alosa chrysochloris

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Citation: McBride RS. 2000. Florida's Shad and River Herrings (Alosa species): A Review of Population and Fishery Characteristics. St. Petersburg (FL): Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI); Technical Report TR-5. 26 pp http://research.myfwc.com/publications/publication_info.asp?id=40287