The species has yet to rebound in North Carolina. Catches of shad and river herring have been falling for more than 20 years. There still are no restrictions in place to bring them back. Gov. Jim Hunt acknowledges that the state needs to become more aggressive. He says he wants the fish managed more by science and less by politics.
Commercial fishermen have a strong story to tell.
It really tugs at your heart. But when you think about it, you know that won't work because we'll wipe them all out. Even as the governor calls for more science, he admits that Hogarth, the state's chief biologist, was forced from his post for political reasons. He says he's not sure whether the director should have political protection. Hogarth's replacement, as yet unnamed, will be the 10th director in 26 years.