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

Man tied to suspected shooter in Tupac Shakur's 1996 killing arrested in Las Vegas, AP sources say
Las Vegas police have arrested a man in the deadly 1996 drive-by shooting of Tupac Shakur, a long-awaited break in a case that has frustrated investigators and fascinated the public ever since the hip-hop icon was gunned down on the Las Vegas Strip 27 years ago.
WATCH Canada likely in 'rounding error recession,' more trouble looming: economist
Statistics Canada has released new data about how the economy started off the third quarter, saying the country's GDP remains essentially unchanged. One economist says it highlights an ongoing trend of weak performance.
Walking more everyday can significantly lower blood pressure in older adults, study finds
A new study finds walking an additional 3,000 steps per day can significantly reduce high blood pressure in older adults with hypertension.
New York City area under state of emergency after storms flood subways, strand people in cars
A potent rush-hour rainstorm swamped the New York metropolitan area on Friday, shutting down parts of the city's subway system, flooding streets and highways, and delaying flights into LaGuardia Airport.
Restoring housing affordability will take 'years and concerted efforts' short of a housing crash: RBC report
Home ownership became slightly more affordable in the second quarter of the year in Canada but it remains 'impossibly high for many,' a new RBC report says.
Toronto family shocked they have to rip out $20K synthetic grass putting green
A Scarborough family said they were shocked to get a notice from the City of Toronto that the artificial grass in their backyard, including a putting green, will have to be ripped out.
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, an advocate for liberal priorities, dies at age 90
Dianne Feinstein, whose three decades in the Senate made her the longest-serving female U.S. senator in history, has died, according to a source familiar.
opinion Biden needs to stand with Trudeau as India-Canada rift continues: analyst
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stands isolated over inflamed tensions with India over the killing of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil, analyst Eric Ham says U.S. President Joe Biden should seize on this moment and stand firmly beside Canada, his most steadfast ally, on this issue.
'We are sorry': Newfoundland and Labrador makes first apology for residential schools
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey made a solemn apology today to survivors of residential schools in southern Labrador.