Alosa

Alosa is a genus of clupeid fishes that includes shads and alewives. Its species are mostly coastal or anadromous, migrating between marine and freshwater habitats.

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Clupeidae: Clupeidae is a family of mostly schooling fishes that includes herrings, sardines, and shads. Alosa is classified within this family of herring-like fishes.
American shad: American shad is an anadromous North American fish in the genus Alosa. It is a large migratory Alosa species with a long history in Atlantic rivers.
Shad fishing: Shad fishing is the capture of shads for food, commerce, or recreation. Several Alosa species support fisheries whose catches depend on seasonal migrations.
Damming of rivers: Damming of rivers is the construction of barriers that impound or divert flowing water. Dams block or alter migration routes used by many Alosa populations.
Clupeiformes: Clupeiformes is the order of ray-finned fishes that includes herrings, sardines, and anchovies. This broader order places Alosa among related small, often schooling fishes.
European shad: European shad is a migratory European fish in the genus Alosa, including the allis shad and twaite shad. Its river migrations illustrate the genus's varied European species.
Fish ladder: A fish ladder is a structure that helps migrating fish pass dams or other barriers in a river. Fish passage structures can reopen spawning routes used by migratory Alosa.
Atlantic coast shad decline: Atlantic coast shad decline is the long-term reduction of several North American shad populations, especially American shad. Declines among Alosa species have prompted restoration and harvest restrictions.
Anadromy: Anadromy is a life-history strategy in which fish grow mainly at sea and migrate into freshwater to reproduce. Many Alosa species migrate between marine feeding grounds and freshwater spawning sites.
Alewife: Alewife is a small clupeid fish in the genus Alosa, native to the western Atlantic and introduced into the Great Lakes. It demonstrates that Alosa includes both anadromous and landlocked populations.