SHAD SPECIES IN GREEK WATERS – AN HISTORICAL OVERVIEW AND PRESENT STATUS.

Abstract

SUMMARY An historical overview of the shad species in Greek waters and the present status of these species are given. The species Alosa fallax (Lacepede, 1803), Alosa macedonica (Vinciguerra, 1921) and Alosa vistonica (Economidis and Sinis, 1986), are the three kinds of shad thriving in Greek waters. The Alosa fallax regularly occurs across coastal zones, mainly near estuaries, and enters the rivers such as Evros, Nestos, Strymon (Thrace and Macedonia), Pinios (Thessaly), Acheloos and Thyamis (western Greece), during the spawning period. Its presence is also confirmed in lake Vistonis, which is connected with the Thracian Sea and there is also strong evidence that it enters some other rivers such as Loudias (Macedonia), Louros and Arachthos (western Greece). Alosa macedonica is a landlocked species endemic to lake Volvi, whereas Alosa vistonica is also endemic and landlocked in the lacustrine part of the lagoon Vistonis.