NPS to study shad

UPPER DELAWARE RIVER — The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River will work with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on a National Park Service-funded project to provide an overall description of the age structure of the spawning stock of American shad in the Upper Delaware River. From May 1 through June 19, a National Park Service biological technician will contact fishermen at 12 access points along Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. Anglers with shad in their possession may be approached and asked for permission to examine the fish and collect scale samples.

Data gathered from this project will help to formulate the age range of the spawning population of American shad in the Delaware River, and to determine the percent of repeat spawning by age for shad.

Spawning stock abundance of American shad is at historic lows relative to habitat potential in most Atlantic coastal rivers, including the Delaware River. The harvest of shad is managed under an interstate management plan coordinated by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Current regulations allow for a daily harvest of three American shad, with no minimum size requirements in the Upper Delaware River.

For more information call 570/729-7842.