Allis and Twaite shad are fully protected species in the UK. It is illegal to target, retain or intentionally disturb them while fishing.

 

Shad Regulations (UK Recreational Angling)

Legal Protection Status

Both Allis shad (Alosa alosa) and Twaite shad (Alosa fallax) are:

• Listed under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

• Included in Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive and Annex III of the Bern Convention.

• Recognised as protected species of principal importance under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

Key implication for anglers:

• It is illegal to intentionally kill, injure or take a shad of either species.

• This includes:

  • Targeting them deliberately

  • Keeping or handling a shad caught as bycatch

  • Photographing, weighing or displaying a shad caught accidentally

Accidental captures must be released immediately with minimal handling.

 

Where Anglers May Encounter Shad

Shad are migratory fish that move between saltwater and freshwater to spawn, typically entering estuaries and rivers in spring. Anglers may encounter them:

• In estuaries of the Severn, Wye, Tamar, Humber, and Towy.

• Near river mouths while fishing for bass, mullet or sea trout.

• Occasionally offshore or in tidal reaches during May–June.

Because shad often strike small lures or are foul-hooked near the surface, accidental bycatch can happen when fishing with light spinning or fly tackle.

 

Best Practices for Avoiding and Releasing Shad

• Avoid small shiny lures in areas known for shad presence during spawning runs.

• Be prepared with barbless hooks to speed up unhooking.

• Do not handle the fish if you can safely release it without doing so.

• Do not photograph or weigh a shad, even as bycatch, this could be considered an offence for unnecessary handling.

• If foul-hooked, release with utmost care, keeping the fish in the water.

Background and Conservation Context

Both Allis and Twaite shad have suffered major declines across Europe due to habitat fragmentation, pollution, and barriers to migration. In the UK, their populations are now largely confined to a few river systems, and any added pressure from angling, even accidental, is taken very seriously.

Enforcement action can be taken if authorities believe a shad was intentionally targeted or improperly handled after bycatch. Protecting these rare fish is a collective responsibility.