Shad, including the twaite shad (Alosa fallax) and allis shad (Alosa alosa), are migratory fish species found in the UK. These members of the herring family migrate from the sea into freshwater rivers to spawn, typically preferring large, clean rivers with gravelly beds. Shad populations in the UK are of conservation concern due to habitat loss, pollution, and barriers to migration such as dams and weirs. These fish are ecologically significant and are protected under European and UK legislation.
