Stock Status – Unknown – Commercial landings decreased substantially in 2006, and are the lowest reported since 2002.  Juvenile abundance decreased with only 1 juvenile hickory shad being captured during the seine survey.  However, the current juvenile alosine seine survey is not a reliable stand-alone indicator of abundance for juvenile hickory shad.  The Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has not conducted any assessment work since 1993.

Average Commercial Landings and Value 1997-2006 – 114,489 lbs./$23,263

2006 Commercial Landings and Value – 54,784 lbs./$10,636

Average Recreational Landings 1997-2006 – unknown, 2006 - unknown

Average Recreational Commercial Gear License Landings 2002-2006 – 15,555 lbs.,
2006 - 4,605 lbs.

Status of Fishery Management Plan (FMP) - The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) FMP for Shad and River Herring was approved in 1985 and Amendment 1 of this plan was approved in October 1998. DMF currently does not have a hickory shad assessment program.

Research and Data Needs - All types of fishery dependent and independent data

Current Regulations – No size limit; Harvest season and recreational creel limit

Harvest Season - The Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) adopted a rule in 1995 establishing a commercial harvest season January 1-April 14; it is unlawful to take hickory shad and American shad by any method except hook-and-line from April 15-December 31. The recreational bag limits for hickory (and American) shad are 10-fish aggregate (hickory and American combined) per person per day.
 
Size and Age at Maturity – Males: 11.5 inches fork length (FL)/3-4 years; Females: 12.5 inches FL/4-5 years

Historical and Current Maximum Age - 8 years

Juvenile Abundance Index 1997-2006 - (unvalidated) - 0.20, 2006 - 0.01

Habits and Habitats - Hickory shad are anadromous, spending the majority of their life in the ocean, returning to fresh water to spawn.  Spawning occurs from March - May in the coastal rivers and tributaries. It is thought juvenile hickory shad do not use the same nursery areas as river herring and American shad, but move quickly to more saline waters.  Hickory shad will remain in the ocean until reaching sexual maturity, returning to fresh water to spawn.

For more information, contact Kathy Rawls at kathy.rawls@ncmail.net (800-338-7805 or 252-264-3911).