Pontic shad Pontic shad The Pontic shad ("Alosa immaculata", previously "Alosa pontica"), also referred to as the Black Sea shad or Kerch shad, is a species of clupeid fish in the genus "Alosa", native to the Black Sea and Sea of Azov basins. "Alosa immaculata" lives in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, and adults migrate up rivers to spawn. It may also be found in the Marmara Sea in Turkey. It currently migrates up and spawns in six rivers: the Danube, Dnieper, Dniester, Southern Bug, Don and Kuban Rivers. Previously the migrations reached far upstream, up to 1,600 in Danube
Herring as food the cancer-causing effect of PCBs and dioxins. The contaminant levels depend on the age of the fish which can be inferred from their size. Baltic herrings larger than 17 cm may be eaten twice a month, while herrings smaller than 17 cm can be eaten freely. Mercury in fish also influences the amount of fish that women who are pregnant or planning to be pregnant within the next one or two years may safely eat. Herring has been a staple food source since at least 3000 B.C. There are numerous ways the fish is served and many regional recipes: eaten