2013 American Shad Regulations

Atlantic coastal fishermen will be facing new American shad regulations for 2013.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Shad and River Herring Fishery Management Plan amendment 3 requires any state or jurisdiction without an approved sustainable fishery management plan (SFMP) to close its commercial and recreational American shad fisheries, with the exception of catch and release fisheries, by January 1, 2013.

For the 2013 fishing season, ASMFC has approved plans for the Delaware River Basin Fish and Wildlife Management Cooperative (representing New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania), Potomac River Fisheries Commission, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida.

The remaining states and jurisdictions will close their commercial and recreational fisheries in 2013, with the exception of catch and release fisheries.

Source: ASMFC