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

Canadian economy to get 'back on its feet' next year, Deloitte Canada says
Canada's near-term economic struggles will ease next year when growth returns and the Bank of Canada begins cutting its key lending rate, a new forecast from Deloitte Canada said.
PM Trudeau apologizes for Parliament's recognition of Nazi veteran during Zelenskyy visit
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered 'unreserved apologies' Wednesday for Parliament's recognition of a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War and said the Canadian government has reached out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the wake of the incident.
Researchers say action could have prevented thousands of premature cancer deaths in women in 2020
Prevention could have prevented nearly seven in 10 premature cancer deaths among women worldwide in 2020, new research has found.
Deadly violence continues in Sweden; 3 people killed in overnight shootings and an explosion
Three people were killed overnight in separate incidents in Sweden as deadly violence linked to a feud between criminal gangs escalated.
Hyundai, Kia recall over 600,000 cars in Canada, drivers told to park away from buildings due to fire risk
Hyundai and Kia have issued a recall for several vehicle models and are urging drivers to park away from buildings due to the risk that the issue could start a fire.
MPs expected to dig deeper on how war vet who fought with Nazis ended up in the House
The House of Commons will resume sitting this morning for the first time since Speaker Anthony Rota officially stepped down from his post.
IED believed to be on vehicle in Barrie, Ont. parking lot explodes, sparking evacuations and road closures
Police have locked down and evacuated a section of Barrie, Ont., Wednesday morning in the city's west end amid unconfirmed reports of an explosion.
59-year-old Montreal skateboarder shreds stereotypes
At 59 years old, Montrealer Constantinos Gray recently decided to get back on a board again after 42 years.
'ET Canada' cancelled by Corus Entertainment, blames 'challenging' advertising market
The studio lights are going dark at 'ET Canada.' Corus Entertainment says it has decided to cease production on the long-running Canadian arts and entertainment news magazine after 18 seasons.