The shad season in South Africa closed on Friday, October 1, and will remain closed until the end of November. During this time, shad fishing is illegal and those caught contravening the ban may face prosecution.

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This seasonal ban is designed to protect the shad during its peak breeding season. The annual ban has been in effect since April 2005 and has proven most valuable in maintaining the South African shad stocks. In the open season, the minimum size for shad is a total length of 30cm, and the bag limit is four per person per day.

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Shad grow quickly and reach maturity after one year, and they live for a maximum of about 10 years and reach 10kg. It is a highly migratory fish and they migrate up the east coast to spawn in KwaZulu-Natal waters during spring.

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