From 2007 to 2009, we quantified total effort and catch of the anchored gill net American shad (Alosa sapidissima) fishery in the Altamaha River, Georgia. We observed and recorded catch data of commercial fishermen interspersed throughout the river. These fishermen also recorded their daily catch and effort in log books. Total harvest of American shad was lowest in January and highest in February of each season. Total fishing effort was estimated monthly and was combined with catch-per-unit-effort data to estimate total harvest monthly. Most harvest and effort occurred in the lower half of the river. Each year, we conducted direct observations and collected log data for between 48% and 66% of the total fishery. The total value of the 2009 anchored gill net fishery was estimated to be US$18,104. We estimated that anchored gill net fishermen accounted for 53% of total shad landings in 2009.
