Juvenile Shad Return to Ocean to Perpetuate Stock

Mark that's sad to hear. In the video I believe they mention multiple sets so the number of fry killed must be significant. I understand the importance of monitoring young of the year in fisheries management but if it comes at the expense of extensive mortality I'd question the sensibility. Don't think anyone really knows for certain where these fish go in the ocean so I'm assuming the reason they net the yearly age classes is to compare those statistics to returns a few years later as adults to determine mortality at sea and the survival rate of age classes in determining the recruitment strength and stability of the stock.

Just curious, when you got in trouble for dumping dead juveniles at the Gap, who did you get in trouble with? Park rangers or CO's? In today's day and age, wonder why some type of acoustic reading isn't an alternative.

The population that returns is ultimately what matters and I believe there's still a commercial operation in Lambertville that would give an indication in the spring of the strength of returning adults. Since I believe they don't know the migration patterns or extent of natural and fishing related mortality during their time at sea and with the extent of mortality you mentioned netting juveniles, you almost have to question the relevancy of the Fall nettings. Without knowing all the reasons why they do, it wouldn't be fair to judge but it's a shame seining as you say comes with apparently such a high mortality rate.