Data gathered from the monitoring program is used by researchers to assess the population of American shad in Virginia waters.  The American shad monitoring program is the only available method to establish a catch index for adult populations. The information gathered contributes to the understanding and conservation of this important species. 

Valuable information is gathered from the program such as:  

• spawning stock assessments
• biological data on the spawning run (size, age-structure, sex ratio, and spawning history)
• estimation of total mortality
• biological characterization of permitted by-catch
• evaluation of restoration programs by detection and enumeration of hatchery-released fish
• relate recruitment indices (young-of-the-year index of abundance) to relative year-class strength of spawning adults
• monitor striped bass bycatch and incidental mortality rates  

Studies of American shad in Virginia waters are significant to recreational fisheries for many reasons:

• American shad fight well when angled. Recreational fishing is popular in other states where fishing bans do not exist.  Further development of a shad fishery could constitute an important opportunity to expand or restore recreational fishing opportunities.
• American shad are important for trophic and ecological reasons.  Spawning-site selection and juvenile abundance are closely linked to water quality and the availability of good fish habitat. Young shad and river herring constitute an important prey group for striped bass and other recreationally important species.
• Using historic gear to monitor the spawning run allows for an assessment of the by-catch associated with a commercial shad fishery in Virginia's rivers.  This is important for determining the impact of a shad fishery on other recreationally important species, such as striped bass, if the fishing ban was lifted.