Swimming Against the Tide

The Urgent Need to Protect Migratory Fish in the James River

How America’s founding fish and other migratory fish species are facing an alarming decline in the James River.

Once the most culturally and economically important fish to the East Coast, American Shad have been called America’s “Founding Fish.” This species thrived in Virginia’s freshwater rivers and have been an essential species to Indigenous Peoples and generations of Virginians.

Today, however, nearly two generations have grown up after the American Shad fishery was shut down in Virginia. While American Shad are still present in other Virginia Rivers, since 2021, they have scored a zero on JRA’s State of the James report.

But the story doesn’t stop with shad. Other important migratory fish species, such as river herring, Atlantic sturgeon and striped bass or “rockfish,” are facing similar declines in the James and the Chesapeake Bay.

As we work to understand the underlying conditions that are causing these declines, the James River Association is fighting to protect the future of these migratory fish.

The James River is a vital corridor for a diverse array of migratory fish species. These fish, including American shad, striped bass, alewife and blueback herring, and Atlantic sturgeon, play a crucial role in the river’s ecosystem and used to support local economies through recreational and commercial fishing. 

Protecting these fish is essential for the health of the river and the well-being of the communities that depend on it.

Migratory fish are fish that travel long distances between different bodies of water. These migrations are generally seasonal and are usually for feeding or breeding purposes. The migratory fish found in the James live in the ocean, or in saltwater for most of their lives, but return to the James to spawn.

We have seen concerning trends in migratory fish populations in the James River in recent years.

In our 2023 State of the James report, the catch index for American Shad is at zero. While other rivers like the Rappahannock have seen an increase in American Shad over the last five years, their numbers remain alarmingly low in the James River.

This trend has applied to additional migratory fish species, as well. 

• In 2024, VIMS researchers completed a survey of Virginia waters and found significantly below-average numbers of recently spawned striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay for the second year in a row.
• River herring, such as blueback and alewife, have also seen decreases in the James River and its key tributaries, such as the Chickahominy River.
• Atlantic Sturgeon were considered functionally extirpated in the James River as recently as the 90’s. While these fish made an impressive comeback in the last 20 years, they remain on the federal Endangered Species list. Researchers are also concerned about the number of “young adults” currently found in the watershed that foreshadow future population numbers. Due to their federal endangered species designation, population data is not publicly available for Atlantic Sturgeon.

None of these species are exactly alike and each face their own set of unique challenges. But there are common threats to all migratory fish species in the James that, if addressed, will have a positive impact on the river’s ecosystem.

Underwater grass beds are critical nursery areas for young migratory fish, providing “rest stops” as they move downstream in the summer and fall seeking refuge from predators. However, sediment and other pollutants in the water result in poor water quality, these important grasses fail to grow and thrive.

Unfortunately, underwater grass beds are below restoration goals in the tidal James River and are particularly sparse along the mainstem James.

What we’ve done:

The James River’s water quality has improved overall throughout the past few decades. We’ve advocated for investments that have reduced farm and urban polluted runoff, and to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities. These restoration actions are reducing the nutrient and sediment pollution loads to the James River, but we still have work ahead to meet Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Cleanup goals. 

What you can do:

Help improve water quality by planting trees and practicing river-friendly practices at home. Homeowners in the Upper and Middle James can plant streamside buffers. And folks anywhere in the watershed can join our River Hero Homes program to help decrease stormwater pollution.

Water intakes are common practice from power companies and other industrial companies on the James River. When river water is taken up through these systems, it can have an impact on fish at any life stage (eggs, larvae, adults) that are unable to swim away from the currents.

These water intakes have mesh screens that filter river water, which directly impact aquatic species in two distinct ways:

• Impingement = aquatic organisms are pinned against mesh screens due to water intake velocities being too high
• Entrainment = Mesh screens are too large to prevent smaller aquatic organisms from being captured by the water intake systems

   

Virginia has developed standards for industrial water intakes to minimize the impact on aquatic life – but these standards are primarily used when new water intakes are proposed or when old facilities are required to renew their regulatory permits. Many industries that use river water for power generation or manufacturing purposes predate these best practices and do not currently meet Virginia’s standards to minimize impacts on aquatic life.

Blue catfish and flathead catfish were first introduced to the James River in the 1970s as sportfish, which today has developed into a trophy fishery attracting many anglers to the region. These non-native catfish are undoubtedly preying on American shad and other native fish. 

One study by researchers at Virginia Tech explored diet preferences of these catfish and pointed out that flatheads are more carnivorous feeders (more likely to prey on species in the herring family), while blue catfish tend to be more generalists in their diet. Both will eat shad fry or adults, given the chance, and both are considered invasive species by federal and state agencies in the Bay watershed.

What you can do:

Local – Catch and eat small blue and flathead catfish (below 32 inches). These can be consumed safely alongside other fish species in the James River and can be safely consumed up to 2 times a month.

State –  Support state funding for commercial harvesting of blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay.

Federal – Contact your federal lawmakers to support Chesapeake Bay Restoration Acceleration Act which includes a provision to support the harvest of blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay.

More information:

Virginia Wild-Caught Blue Catfish: Nutrition and Contaminant Analysis

Chesapeake Bay Blue Catfish: Invasive, but Delicious and Nutritious!

In Virginia, the climate is trending warmer and wetter. This creates new hurdles for American Shad and other migratory fish species that we’re just beginning to understand. Studies have indicated that warming temperatures can affect growth and mortality rates, shifts in spawning periods, shortened spawning seasons, or shifts in the size of fish at maturity.

More research is needed to understand the impact of changing temperatures on habitat and spawning activity.

What we have done:

JRA worked with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science to develop the American Shad Recovery Plan in 2023. Since then, we’ve advocated for state funding to execute key pieces of the plan. This includes a VIMS study on Existing Spawning Habitat for American Shad, which received funding in 2025.

What you can do:

Plant streamside buffers in the Upper and Middle James to cool streams and improve water quality. Install living shorelines in the Lower James tributaries to improve water quality and provide essential habitat for fish as they migrate up our rivers. Join our Action Network to be notified when critical pieces of legislation are being introduced.

While the numbers are causing alarm, we have reason to be optimistic about our ability to restore American Shad, river herring, striped bass, and Atlantic sturgeon populations in the James River.

First, we have seen encouraging results in other coastal rivers in Virginia. American Shad abundance has improved over the last decade in the Potomac and Rappahannock estuaries – places that have also seen a resurgence of underwater grass beds. With a continued focus on reducing sediment pollution in the James River, we can improve water clarity conditions too, paving the way for underwater grasses and shad to return.

Second, we have seen an amazing comeback of Atlantic Sturgeon in the James River. Once thought to be functionally extirpated, many scientists believed we would never see Atlantic Sturgeon in the James again. However, thanks to conservation efforts and increased research, Atlantic Sturgeon were once again spotted in the James in the early 2000’s and have been seen every year since. Each fall, you can see these gigantic fish breach as they return to their freshwater spawning grounds. 

It’s up to all of us to push for the necessary resources, research, and public interest to protect these vital fish species and ensure their recovery in the James. We hope you’ll join us in the fight.