With the financial support of the HIT Environment Fund and the Ministry of Environment of North Rhine Westphalia, Germany, a feasibility study for the re-introduction of allis shad in the River Rhine was conducted during 2003-2005. This study included genetic analyses, mapping of potential spawning and stocking sites, transport of adult shad, breeding and rearing experiments in France and Germany, and research visits in France and the U.S.A.
Due to results of this extensive feasibility study the necessary actions to implement the project objectives could be determined. With the help of techniques developed for the successful re-introduction of the closely related American shad (Alosa sapidissima) in many rivers along the U. S. Atlantic Coast it is planned to produce 5 million allis shad larvae which will be stocked in the Rhine system.
