The Albemarle Sound accounts for the majority of river herring landings in all of North Carolina. However, blueback herring and alewife, collectively known as “river herring,” are facing record declines across the Albemarle Sound watershed due to loss of access to spawning and nursery habitats, fishery pressures, and declining water quality.
Serious trouble stalks two of the nation's largest estuarine areas, threatening the state's eastern economy and environment. Our best hope for restoration may be this five-year study.