N.B. shellfish company shuttered over improper storage of shell waste: environment minister
A company at the centre of a community fight over what residents in the town of Beaurivage, N.B. say is a powerful stench has been ordered to cease operations.
The province notified Coastal Shells Wednesday evening they were not meeting one of it’s conditions of approval to operate.
“An inspector from the department confirmed odours were being generated by the improper storage of shell waste on the company’s property,” Environment and Local Government Minister Gary Crossman said in a written statement Thursday.
The order for Coastal Shells to stop operations came into effect at 8 a.m. Thursday.
According the statement, the province says the company won’t be allowed to re-open until it has a plan to bring it back into compliance.
That plan must be approved by the Department of Environment and Local Government.
Coastal Shells has a shell drying facility that takes waste from the fishing industry and processes it into fertilizer, animal feed and other products.
According to its website, the company's building is a "state of the art" shell drying facility.
Located in what was Richibucto before amalgamation, residents said their concerns range from not being able to enjoy spending time in their yard, to students complaining about the air quality at École Soleil Levant, which is located next door.
A senior's complex and an arena are also located nearby.
In an earlier interview, Maisie Rae McNaughton told CTV News the smell coming from the plant was horrendous.
McNaughton is a member of the Kent Clean Air Action Committee (KCAAC) and the administrator of a ‘Stop the Stink’ Facebook page that has more than 800 members.
"I am a fisherwoman and I have smelled many dried lobster shells, rotten lobster shells and it's unlike anything I have smelled," she said back in May.
McNaughton said Thursday’s news is positive, but she’s hoping for more.
“I understand that this is only temporary, it’s not a permanent solution to what has been a problem since 2016,” said McNaughton. “Our community has been hit hard by the continued operation of Coastal Shells so what I would like is for them to move to a better location or close completely. This has gone on for too long. It’s ludicrous that my community is suffering in this way.”
CTV News attempted to reach Coastal Shells Products for comment Thursday, but have yet to hear back.
For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
opinion Tom Mulcair: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's train wreck of a final act
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader and political analyst Tom Mulcair puts a spotlight on the 'spectacular failure' of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's final act on the political stage.
B.C. mayor gets calls from across Canada about 'crazy' plan to recruit doctors
A British Columbia community's "out-of-the-box" plan to ease its family doctor shortage by hiring physicians as city employees is sparking interest from across Canada, says Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi.
'There’s no support': Domestic abuse survivor shares difficulties leaving her relationship
An Edmonton woman who tried to flee an abusive relationship ended up back where she started in part due to a lack of shelter space.
opinion King Charles' Christmas: Who's in and who's out this year?
Christmas 2024 is set to be a Christmas like no other for the Royal Family, says royal commentator Afua Hagan. King Charles III has initiated the most important and significant transformation of royal Christmas celebrations in decades.
Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson dead at 65, reports say
Rickey Henderson, a Baseball Hall of Famer and Major League Baseball’s all-time stolen bases leader, is dead at 65, according to multiple reports.
Arizona third-grader saves choking friend
An Arizona third-grader is being recognized by his local fire department after saving a friend from choking.
Germans mourn the 5 killed and 200 injured in the apparent attack on a Christmas market
Germans on Saturday mourned the victims of an apparent attack in which authorities say a doctor drove into a busy outdoor Christmas market, killing five people, injuring 200 others and shaking the public’s sense of security at what would otherwise be a time of joy.
Blake Lively accuses 'It Ends With Us' director Justin Baldoni of harassment and smear campaign
Blake Lively has accused her 'It Ends With Us' director and co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of the movie and a subsequent effort to “destroy' her reputation in a legal complaint.
Oysters distributed in B.C., Alberta, Ontario recalled for norovirus contamination
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall due to possible norovirus contamination of certain oysters distributed in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.