Shad is an anadromous fish distributed along the NW Atlantic coast, from New Brunswick through Florida, with a natal homing behavior. Management units of individual river stocks appear appropriate and are supported by the genetic evidence. However, adults mix along their migration routes, forming a mixed ocean stock and being captured as bycatch by several fisheries.  An integrated stock assessment has been conducted, but further methods development is needed to resolve the mixing of American shad stocks (ASFMC, 2007a). In-river and coastal fisheries are managed at state level.