York River

The 2011 catch index on the York River is 4.58. While this is higher than the 2010 index (4.19), it is still well below the restoration target. The York River restoration target of 17.44  is the mean index value of catches from the 1950's. Data from the 1980's was not used to develop the target because abundance of American shad during that time was insufficient to support the fishery.  The 2011 mean index is 5.90. Since 2004, the catch index has shown a significant decline and is cause for concern. The stock has recovered to a level close to the average abundance in the 1980's. However, those levels were incapable of supporting an active fishery. Therefore, the stock requires continued protection.

Although there is a moratorium on American shad in the Chesapeake Bay, there are fish taken from several sources on the York River. There is a limited by-catch fishery of American shad on the York River from the Coleman Bridge to West Point.  Mattaponi and Pamunkey tribal governments harvest American shad. There are also losses of shad to capture of brood stock on the Pamunkey River for hatchery restoration.