COMMON MARINE FISHES 



SHAD 

 Alosa sapidissima 



Relationship: A member of the herring family, Clupeidae, as are the sardine 

 and the herring. Introduced into California from the Atlantic Coast in 1871. 



Distinguishing Characters: The single, short dorsal fin near the middle of the 

 back ; the absence of scales on the head ; the absence of a lateral line ; the deep bod.v. 

 which is drawn to a sharp saw-toothed edge on the breast and belly ; the head length 

 being much less than the body depth. Length to about 30 inches. Color: Deep bluish 

 above, becoming silvery on the sides and below ; a number of dark spots run along 

 the back under the scales. 



Distribution: Alaska to Southern California, not common south of Monterey 

 Bay. In the Atlantic Ocean, from Newfoundland to Florida. An anadromous fish, 

 ascending rivers to spawn. 



Fishing Season: At present (1948) the commercial season extends from March 

 15th to May olst, but only in a district comprising part of the upper San Francisco 

 Bay, delta and river area. There is no closed sport season but bag limits ai-e in effect 

 part of the year. Consult fish and game laws. 



Importance: A minor commercial species in California. Heaviest landings are 

 made at Pittsburg. Most of the catch is sold fresh, although part is canned or, occa- 

 sionally, smoked. The roe is sold fresh or canned. 



Fishing Gear: Gill or trammel nets are the only legal commercial gear at this 

 time (1948). 



