Shad limit?

[Billfish715]

I just read the saltwater compendium and noticed the possession limits for American Shad. If I read it correctly, a person may only possess 3 shad from the Delaware River and its tributaries and 6 anywhere else. The freshwater compendium regulations also indicate a limit of 3 but state that no other shad can be taken from anywhere but the Delaware. I guess that applies to the Raritan. The excuse for poor shad returns years ago was the pollution block in the lower river. What's the reason for such poor returns now?

[acabtp]

that must be outdated, because you can't even fish for shad in any river in NJ right now other than the delaware

[acabtp]

All American shad fisheries (both commercial and recreational), in both marine and fresh waters, with the exception of the Delaware Bay, Delaware River and its tributaries, are closed (no possession, take or harvest). The recreational possession limit in the Delaware Bay, Delaware River and its tributaries is 3 fish with no minimum size and an open season all year. Commercial net regulations for American shad in the Delaware Bay, Delaware River and its tributaries will remain the same.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/news/..._closure13.htm
it's a bummer, but you can't even fish for them legally in the raritan

[Billfish715]

I'm guessing the saltwater regulations about a possession of 6 must mean in the ocean. Who fishes there anyway? Still..... Why such a steep decline in the shad population? Some blame the stripers for eating all the fry. Some blame river conditions from past years. Any guesses?

[AndyS]

Commercial fisheries by catch. They shovel them over the side to sink to the bottom of the ocean.

[NJ219bands]

A Marine policeman told me that he caught 2 guys with 22 hickory shad in Point Pleasant in December. The salt water limit is 6, but they are protected in fresh water. I caught and released many in Manasquan Inlet last fall.