Striped bass are culturally, economically, and recreationally significant to the Roanoke River and to Weldon, NC, the "Rockfish Capital of the World!" Once overfished, striped bass were brought back through the combined efforts of state and federal agencies, fishermen, and private industry in a modern-day conservation success story. The Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River striped bass population was declared restored in 1997. Each spring, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission biologists conduct a recreational angler creel survey and electrofishing samples on the Roanoke River to ensure the population remains at a sustainable level.