The allis shad (Alosa alosa) belongs to the herring family and migrates to the middle and upper reaches of rivers to spawn.

© Stefan Ludwig
A preserved allis shad at the visitor center of the Gambsheim barrage on the Rhine

An important food fish in the 19th century, its stocks were wiped out within a few decades due to the construction of dams, lack of migration opportunities, and overfishing.

Intensive efforts to reintroduce the allis shad are now bearing fruit.

For more information on the allis shad project in the Rhine, visit: https://www.maifischprojekt.de/

Fry obtained in France in a hatchery from parent fish from the Gironde were successfully introduced into the Rhine.

They survived, migrated to the sea, and returned. The first successful natural reproduction has been documented in the Rhine.

Adult allis shad migrated up the Neckar to the first migration barrier.