Author: Charles H. Walburg

Publisher:

Published: 1957

Total Pages: 32

ISBN-13:

A study of the American shad (Alosa sapidissima) in Chesapeake Bay was made in 1952. Catch and effort records were combined with data obtained from tagging studies conducted at the entrance to Chesapeake Bay, in the James and Potomac Rivers, and at Cove Point (Maryland) to obtain population parameters for these areas. These studies were successful except for the results of tagging at the mouth of the Bay, which data could not be used because of a disproportionate tag recovery-catch ratio between the various areas of Chesapeake Bay. Total population and escapement were determined for each year in which data were available. It is recommended that the States of Maryland and Virginia establish comparable systems for the collection of catch-and-effort records on the shad so that these basic data will be available for any future study of the Chesapeake Bay fisheries.