Conserving Hickory Shad will help protect the species against overfishing. This past shad run, I caught only one American Shad, of the 50+ fish I landed. This is a perfect example of why there needs to be a creel limit.
Unrestricted takes during spawning runs reduces the potential for successful spawns.
Overfishing Hickory Shad will deplete the stock, jeopardize the recreational fishery, & undermine restoration plans for shads and herrings. I fly fish, almost exclusively catch & release, so I have less impact on the shad population. The anglers who fill coolers full of shad to cut up for bait for their crab traps is killing this fishery.
A daily creel limit facilitates adjustment of allowed takes as conditions change.
Creel limits provide a practical measure for field-level inspection. Enforcement if vital to having a successful fishery.
Hickory Shad availability as a forage species for striped bass is diminished by unrestricted takes.
Management of Hickory Shad should be consistent across Virginia.
