Molecular studies have demonstrated that all shads endemic to the Aegean, Black and Caspian Sea basins, including Alosa macedonica, share close phylogenetic relationships (Faria et al. 2006, Geiger et al. 2014, Vernygora et al. 2018). Their taxonomy may therefore be revised in the future .

The Macedonian Shad is endemic to Lake Volvi in the Mygdonia drainage basin, northern Greece. It has an extremely restricted range (extent of occurrence (EOO) c. 98 km²), which meets the threshold for the Critically Endangered category under Criterion B1 (EOO < 100 km²). It is present at one location where the quality of habitat is estimated to be declining due to ongoing deterioration of water quality resulting from pollution, as well as a decrease in the water level. Therefore, this species is assessed as Critically Endangered under Criterion B (B1ab(iii)).

This species is endemic to Lake Volvi (el. Βόλβη) in the Mygdonia drainage basin, northern Greece.

A number of studies published since the turn of the century suggest that it formerly inhabited adjacent Lake Koroneia (el. Κορώνεια), but was extirpated during the 1990s. However, there exist no confirmed historical records from this location and it is therefore excluded from the present assessment.

This species' current population size and trend have not been quantified. Field observations and fisheries data indicate that it remains relatively abundant in Lake Volvi.

Lake Volvi is the second-largest natural lake in Greece, and is considered a nationally important site for endemic biodiversity and aquatic birds. The lake is relatively shallow (mean depth 13.5 metres, maximum depth 23.5 metres) and is currently classified as mesoeutrophic.

The Macedonian Shad is restricted to the lake itself, where it inhabits the upper layers during warmer periods and moves to deeper water during winter. This species is an iteroparous batch spawner which reproduces in shallow littoral habitats with well-washed gravel or coarse sand substrata during the months of July and August. It is pelagic and feeds primarily on zooplankton, although larger individuals also prey on smaller fishes.

This species is threatened by an ongoing deterioration of water quality in Lake Volvi, with pollution sources including agricultural runoff, animal husbandry effluents, discharge of untreated or insufficiently-treated domestic wastewater, and industrial effluents mainly from local food, dairy and dye industries. There is also a risk that pollutants from the heavily-degraded Lake Koroneia may be entering the Volvi ecosystem via subsurface flows, or during infrequent periods of high water when the lakes are connected.

The water level in Lake Volvi has been slowly decreasing for a number of years due to abstraction of water for irrigated agriculture, which accounts for c. 95% of all water demand in the Mygdonia drainage basin. The Mygdonia aquifer is suffering from limited recharge, and excessive pumping has caused the groundwater table to subside. The diversion of two temporal tributary streams into Lake Koroneia (see 'Conservation'), has decreased the volume of runoff entering Lake Volvi. These issues are likely to be exacerbated by climate change. Recent climate models for the Mygdonia basin suggest that rainfall is set to decrease by 17%, surface runoff by 21% and groundwater recharge by 38% before 2100, with Lake Volvi potentially losing almost half of its current surface area. The receding water level could significantly reduce the extent and quality of suitable shad spawning grounds around the lake's shorelines.

A number of non-native freshwater fish species have been introduced to Lake Volvi, of which several have become established. These include Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), Common Carp (Cyprinus spp.), Prussian Carp (Carassius gibelio), and Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki), all of which are considered invasive and can exert detrimental pressures on native freshwater fauna through increased competition, predation or habitat degradation.

Lake Volvi supports a commercial fishery based largely on introduced Prussian Carp (Carassius gibelio) and Common Carp (Cyprinus spp.), plus the native Common Bream (Abramis brama), Common Roach (Rutilus rutilus) and Eurasian Perch (Perca fluviatilis).

The Macedonian Shad was formerly among the most intensively-exploited species, periodically comprising up to c. 70% of the annual catch, but demand has declined significantly since the 1980s due to its low commercial value. Relatively small numbers continue to be harvested and salted for local consumption.

Moreover, the number of fishers operating on Lake Volvi has declined by around half since the 1960s, during which period mean annual landings of all species combined have also fallen from 500 tonnes to 85 tonnes due to a series of factors (see 'Threats').

Fishing pressure increased slightly after the collapse of the Lake Koroneia fishery during the late 1990s, forcing fishers from that area to move to Volvi. An unknown number of unlicensed fishers also operate on the lake.

This species is included in Annexes II and V of the European Union Habitats Directive (as Alosa spp.), and is assessed as Vulnerable in the Greek National Red List.

Lakes Volvi comprises part of the Koroneia and Volvi National Park, which is also included in the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance and European Union's Natura 2000 network (site GR1220009). The lake is also included in the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean.

Fishing on Lake Volvi is prohibited for 30-40 days each spring, when most native fish species are spawning, but this does not cover the shad's reproductive period and there is no species-specific conservation management plan in place.

It is recommended that future research efforts should focus on the Macedonian Shad's population status, life history and habitat trends. The identification and management of spawning sites may be of particular conservation relevance given that these are understood to be located in the littoral zone.