(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species alewife, Gaspereau
Species Id M010037
Date 27 AUG 96

TAXONOMY

NAME - alewife, Gaspereau

OTHER COMMON NAMES - Gaspereau, Sawbelly, Spreau, Kyak, Kiack, River herring, Glut herring and Fr: Gaspareau

ELEMENT CODE -

CATEGORY - Fish

PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - ,

CLASS AND SUBCLASS - Osteichthyes,

ORDER AND SUBORDER - Clupeiformes,

FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Clupeidae,

GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Alosa,

SPECIES AND SSP - pseudoharengus,

SCIENTIFIC NAME - Alosa pseudoharengus

AUTHORITY - Wilson, 1811

TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 258

COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
See Alosa aestivalis for a review of distinguishing features *258*

Pomolobus pseudoharengus is a synonym *258*.

Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species alewife, Gaspereau
Species Id M010037
Date 27 AUG 96

STATUS

Coded Status
Migrant
Commercial/consumption
Commercial/industrial
Commercial/bait
See Comments

REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 258

COMMENTS ON STATUS -
The alewife is an anadroumous species living most of its adult life at sea,
entering fresh water only to spawn *258*.

Alewives are caught commercially in weirs, traps, gill nets, and dip nets.
Weirs and traps are sometimes set in harbors, river mouths, or lakes
upriver. They are considered one of the easiest fish to catch *258*.

The Canadian commercial fishery occurs in spring during the spawning runs,
principally in the Saint John and Miramichi rivers in New Brunswick but also
in the Margaree, Mersey, Tusket, Gaspereau, and Shubenacadie rivers in Nova
Scotia. They are fished in many other rivers in Maritime Canada *258*.

Alewife or gaspereau landings are included in an 'other pelagic fish'
category in the NAFO statistical bulletin and so are unavailable. The
Annual Statistical Review for 1981 lists alewife but not the blueback (Alosa
aestivalis) and since these two species overlap each other during their
spawning runs, it seems probable that some bluebacks are included with the
alewife landings. Nevertheless, the landings and value of alewives for 1980
and 1981 listed in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Annual Statistical
Review (1983) are as follows: 1980, 9738 t at a value of $2,482,000; 1981,
5601 t at a value of $860,000. The 1980 catch and value were the highest in
recent years *258*.

Alewives may be marketed for human consumption, fresh, frozen, smoked, and
salted or pickled, and canned for pet food. They are also used as bait in
the fisheries for lobster and snow crab and in some regions in the
production of fish meal and oil. The flesh is white and sweet but bony
*258*.

Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species alewife, Gaspereau
Species Id M010037
Date 27 AUG 96

DISTRIBUTION

Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - MARINE
AQUATIC

REFERENCES FOR HABITAT - 258

LAND USE -
Water
Lakes
Streams and Canals

REFERENCES FOR LAND USE - 258

COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The alewife is an anadromous species living most of its adult life at sea,
entering fresh water only to spawn. Although its life in fresh water is
well documented, its movements and activities at sea are not. When at sea
it frequents coastal waters and is captured most often at depths of 56-110
m at a temperature of about 4oC (range 3-17 oC). In an extensive review of
offshore distribution of alewives, a study concluded that most catches were
made in depths less that 100 m. During summer and fall, catches were
confined to the region north of 40oN lat in three areas: Nantucket Shoals,
Georges Bank, and the perimeter of the Gulf of Maine. Winter catches were
made between 40 and 43oN lat and spring catches over the continental shelf
area between Nova Scotia and Cape Hatteras, NC *258*.

Alewives may live throughout their lives in fresh water, when they are
referred to as 'landlocked' as in the Great Lakes *258*.

In fresh water, adults cannot survive temperatures over 25oC for prolonged
periods, but another study has shown that young-of-the-year have an
ultimate upper incipient lethat temperature slightly above 30oC *258*.

ANIMAL/PLANT SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
Eel
Yellow perch
White perch
Seabirds
Striped bass
Atlantic salmon
Acanthocephalan (Echinorhynchus acus)
Cestode (Rhynchobothrium imparispine)
Trematode (Distomum appendiculatum)
Trematode (D. bothryophoron)
Trematode (D. vitellosum)
Trematode (Monostomum sp.)
Copepod (Argulus alosae)
Copepod (Caligus rapax)
Copepod (Lepeophtheirus edwardsi)
Nematode (Anisakis simplex)
Nematode (Thynnascaris adunca)

REFERENCES FOR SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS - 258

Habitat Associations - 1 COMMENTS ON SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
Predation and competition: Little is known of enemies in the sea. The
young in fresh water must fall prey to a variety of predators such as eels,
yellow perch, and white perch. Working in Connecticut, a study estimated
that one young fish survived to leave the spawning gound for every 80,000
eggs spawned, indicating a high mortality rate, some of which would be due
to predation. When abundant, especially during spawning runs, alewives must
fall prey to seabirds and predaceous fishes, such as striped bass and
Atlantic salmon *258*.

Parasites and disease: Few studies of parasites of alewives appear to have
been published. One study listed the follwoing parasites from alewives
taken near Woods Hole MA: an acanthocephalan (Echinorhynchus acus); cestode
(Rhynchobothrium imparispine), trematodes (Distomum appendiculatum, D.
bothryophoron, D. vitellosum, Monostomum sp.); and copepods (Argulus alosae,
Caligus rapax, and Lepeophtheirus edwardsi) *258*.

The nematodes Anisakis simplex and Thynnascaris adunca were reported from
alewives taken in the western North Atlantic *258*.

Piscine erythrocytic necrosis (PEN), a blood disease of fishes, was reported
from anadromous alewives from Maine coastal waters. It seems probable that
anadromous streams would also be infected *258*.

Habitat Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species alewife, Gaspereau
Species Id M010037
Date 27 AUG 96

FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE

REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 258

LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Zooplankton Not Specified
General Crustaceans Not Specified
General Osteichthyes Not Specified
General Osteichthyes Egg/Fetus stage
Larva Crustaceans Not Specified
General Osteichthyes Larva stage

REFERENCES FOR GENERAL FOOD - 258

REFERENCES FOR LARVAE FOOD - 258

COMMENTS ON FOOD -
Food consists mainly of zooplankton. In the sea, amphipods, copepods,
mysids, small fishes, and fish eggs have been reported in stomach contents,
but few detailed food studies of seacaught fish have been reported.
Examination of stomachs of 100 alewives caught in April 1978 showed calanoid
copepods, mysids, and other zooplankton to major oranisms consumed. A study
considered alewives to prefer larger food organisms (such as amphipods and
mysids) than blueback herring *258*.

It was noted that 60 percent of about 250 alewives caught on Georges Bank
(lat 41o29'N, long 68o34'W) in July and August had food in the stomachs and
had been feeding, but food items were not identified *258*.

Much is known about food of alewives in fresh water. A study noted that
cladocerans (mainly Cyclops and Limnocalanus) made up 75 percent or more of
organisms eaten by larval alewives. It also suggested the larvae were
highly selective in the items eaten. Freshwater alewives tended to eat
zooplankton until about 11.9 cm TL but larger fish ate increasing amount of
the more benthic amphipod Pontoporeia *258*.

Landlocked alewives may consume large numbers of larval fishes and may exert
considerable influence on recriutment of game species *258*.

COMMENTS ON LARVAE FOOD -
A study noted that cladocerans (mainly Cyclops and Limnocalanus) made up 75
percent or more of organisms eaten by larval alewives. It also suggested
the larvae were highly selective in the items eaten *258*.

Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species alewife, Gaspereau
Species Id M010037
Date 27 AUG 96

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS

G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae

LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Water Depth Preference: Greater than 1500 ft.
G Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
G Water Temperature: Below 15 degrees C
G Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
G Water Depth Preference: 200-500 ft.
LIM Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
BA Aquatic Features: Specified in Comments
BA Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments
E Aquatic Features: Specified in Comments
E Relation to Substrate: Specified in Comments
BA Water Temperature: Below 15 degrees C
BA Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
E Water Temperature: Between 15-21 degrees C
E Water Temperature: Specified in Comments

REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 258

REFERENCES FOR LIMITING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 258

REFERENCES FOR BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 258

REFERENCES FOR EGG ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 258

COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
The alewife is an anadromous species living most of its adult life at sea,
entering fresh water only to spawn. Although its life in fresh water is
well documented, its movements and activities at sea are not. When at sea
it frequents coastal waters and is captured most often at depths of 56-110
m at a temperature of about 4oC (range 3-17 oC). In an extensive review of
offshore distribution of alewives, a study concluded that most catches were
made in depths less that 100 m. During summer and fall, catches were
confined to the region north of 40oN lat in three areas: Nantucket Shoals,
Georges Bank, and the perimeter of the Gulf of Maine. Winter catches were
made between 40 and 43oN lat and spring catches over the continental shelf
area between Nova Scotia and Cape Hatteras, NC *258*.

Alewives are light-sensitive and tend to be in greater depths during
daylight hours. A study concluded that they are vertical migrators and
follow the diel movement of zooplankton in the water column *258*.
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species alewife, Gaspereau
Species Id M010037
Date 27 AUG 96

Alewives may live throughout their lives in fresh water, when they are
referred to as 'landlocked' as in the Great Lakes *258*.

In fresh water, adults cannot survive temperatures over 25oC for prolonged
periods, but another study has shown that young-of-the-year have an
ultimate upper incipient lethal temperature slightly above 30oC *258*.

COMMENTS ON LIMITING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
In fresh water, adults cannot survive temperatures over 25oC for prolonged
periods, but another study has shown that young-of-the-year have an
ultimate upper incipient lethal temperature slightly above 30oC *258*.

COMMENTS ON BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Sea-run alewives spawn in spring in lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams above
the head of tide. Slow-moving waters of streams are often used. They are
frequently so numerous on the rapids for some miles above the head of tide
that it is difficult to wade about without treading on fish at every step.
This observation is in contrast to the spawning behavior in some United
States waters where spawning occurs mainly in slow-moving parts of rivers
or in the still waters of lakes *258*.

Spawning usually commences when water temperatures are 8.9-12.2 oC *258*.

COMMENTS ON EGG ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Large quantities of eggs are found in the rapids in the Miramichi.
Fertilized eggs measure 0.80-1.27 mm in diameter and are adhesive, but
adhesive properites are lost after hours. Incubation takes 3-5 d at
20.0oC, about 6 d at 15.6oC. Maximum hatching success occurred at 20.8oC
but declined significantly at higher temperatures and ceased entirely at
29.7oC *258*.

Environment Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species alewife, Gaspereau
Species Id M010037
Date 27 AUG 96

LIFE HISTORY

Predation and competition: Little is known of enemies in the sea. The
young in fresh water must fall prey to a variety of predators such as eels,
yellow perch, and white perch. Working in Connecticut, a study estimated
that one young fish survived to leave the spawning gound for every 80,000
eggs spawned, indicating a high mortality rate, some of which would be due
to predation. When abundant, especially during spawning runs, alewives must
fall prey to seabirds and predaceous fishes, such as striped bass and
Atlantic salmon *258*.

The nematodes Anisakis simplex and Thynnascaris adunca were reported from
alewives taken in the western North Atlantic *258*.

Reproduction: Sea-run alewives spawn in spring in lakes, ponds, rivers, and
streams above the head of tide. Slow-moving waters of streams are often
used. One study commenting on the 'run' in the main Miramichi River stated:
"As they move upstream, many of them close to shore, groups of fish are
often seen swimming rapidly anti-clockwise in a circle 3 to 6 feet wide. In
a matter of seconds this so-called nuptial dance or swim ends in a big
splash. During the spawning runs on the Northwest Miramichi, they are
frequently so numerous on the rapids for some miles above the head of tide
that it is difficult to wade about without treading on fish at every step."
It also noted that large quentities of eggs were found in these rapids in
the Miramichi. This observation is in contrast to the spawning behavior in
some United States waters where spawning occurs mainly in slow-moving parts
of rivers or in the still waters of lakes. Generally, alewives, when on a
spawning run, do not jump over obstructions although they can negotiate
white water in rapids and fishways easily. Negotiating swift water does not
apparently stress them. A study noted that the increase in blood lactic
acid levels was not extremely high in alewives tested during spawning runs
in a fishway in Gaspereau River, NS *258*.

Females are prolific and may produce 48,000 to 360,000 eggs, the larger
females producing the larger number of eggs. Fertilized eggs measure
0.80-1.27 mm in diameter and are adhesive, but adhesive properites are lost
after several hours *258*

Initiation of spawning by sea-run alewives is related to temperature.
Spawning usually commences when water temperatures are 8.9-12.2 oC.
However, after the initiation of spawning, a study found no correlation
between the number of fish entering a Connecticut lake and the temperature
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species alewife, Gaspereau
Species Id M010037
Date 27 AUG 96

of the water leaving the lake *258*.

Characteristically, the larger and older fish spawn first, while smaller and
younger fish spawn progressively later. In the Saint John River system the
early spawners are older fish and are repeat spawners; some 9- and 10-yr-old
fish may have spawnied as many as 5 times or more. However, alewives aged
3-5 yr appeared to dominate on the spawning grounds. In water tributary to
the Bay of Fundy, spawning usually begins in late April and may last for 2
mo. In the Miramichi River system spawning usually accurs in June. In
southwest Margaree River, NS, spawning began 2 May 1979 at 8.9 oC *258*.

Growth: Young alewives are about 2.5-5.0 mm long on hatching. Incubation
takes 3-5 d at 20.0 oC, about 6 d at 15.6 oC. Maximum hatching success
occurred at 20.8 oC but declined significantly at higher temperatures and
ceased entirely at 29.7 oC. The young grow rapidly in fresh water and
commence returning to sea in late summer or fall *258*.

Sexual maturity of Saint John River, NB, populations is reached usually at
ages 3,4 or 5, with males tending to mature earlier than females; about 5
percent of males may even mature at age 2 *258*.

Alewives caught during spawning runs in Atlantic Canada average 25.4-30.5 cm
FL, occasionally to 35.6 cm FL, but a maximum size is not recorded *258*

Description: Body deep, laterally compressed, moderately elongate, ventral
margin of belly saw-toothed with sharp scutes, caudal peduncle slender.
Head relatively small, pointed; mouth terminal, lower jaw projecting
slightly, rather thick at end, extending beyond upper jaw when mouth closed
and not fitting into a groove in upper jaw, maxillary extending to below
middle of eye; teeth small, weak, few in number on mandible and
premaxillary; eye large, adipose eyelid well developed. Gill rakers on
lower limb 38-43. Branchiostegals 7, rarely 6. Fins: soft rayed; dorsal
12-18 (usually 13-16); caudal forked; anal 15-20 (usually 16-18); pelvics
small, abdominal, 10; pectorals 14-16, low on sides. Scales cycloid, large,
deciduous, scale rows along side about 42-50, ventral scutes strong, 17-21
before pelvics, 13-16 behind. Pyloric caeca numberous. Peritoneum pale to
dusky. Vertebrae 46-50. Size to 35.6 cm long, usually 25.4-30.4 cm. Color
grayish green above, silvery on the sides and belly iridescent when freshly
caught; longitudinal lines above midline of sides sometimes evident on
adults, and a black spot behind gill cover at eye level; a golden or brassy
cast evident on sea-run fish *258*.

LIFE HISTORY CODES -
Breeding/Spawning Season: March
Breeding Spawning Season: April
Breeding/Spawning Season: May
Average Number of Offspring/Reproductive Effort: Grea
Number of Broods/Litters (Reproductive Efforts) Per Ye
Breeding/Spawning Season: June
Gestation/Incubation Period: 3-4 days
Gestation/Incubation Period: 5-7 days

Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species alewife, Gaspereau
Species Id M010037
Date 27 AUG 96

REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 258

Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species alewife, Gaspereau
Species Id M010037
Date 27 AUG 96

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

Adverse Other management practices [specified in comments]
Adverse Migration barriers

REFERENCES FOR ADVERSE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 258

COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Alewives, when on a spawning run, do not jump over obstructions although
they can negotiate white water in rapids and fishways easily *258*

Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species alewife, Gaspereau
Species Id M010037
Date 27 AUG 96

References

258 * Scott, W.B., M.G. Scott. 1988. Atlantic Fishes of Canada.
Canadian Bulletin of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (219) (ed.).
University of Toronto Press Toronto, Canada:731.

References - 1