A long-running dispute over seafood waste odors in Bayou La Batre spilled into city hall again last week, as seafood industry leaders and residents clashed over complaints that have divided the community for months.
Tempers flared after state inspectors returned to the bayou, with processors accusing some residents of threatening an industry that has anchored the city’s economy for generations.
“I’m so disappointed in our town, you know, for some of these people to be causing these problems. You know, this town was built on shipbuilding and seafood, and there is no reason why we should be having to address these issues. Yes, shrimp and crabs smell. Oyster smell. It is inherent to the process, and it is a huge tax base for the city as well as the state,” said Lillie Kraver of Deep Sea Foods. “So if you don’t like it, please leave and leave our industry alone.”
The council meeting happened the same day inspectors with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management visited a co-op where seafood waste is delivered. Video of the visit later circulated on social media. In the footage, the person filming can be heard asking an inspector, “Are they doing anything illegal?” The inspector replies, “We haven’t determined that yet. Our bosses told us to come by and take a look.”
Angela Rubattino, who says she has filed multiple complaints with ADEM, said she and her husband have documented the issue with photos, videos and drone footage. Rubattino said the concern began when they noticed strong odors coming from a neighboring property, where seafood waste is reportedly used as fertilizer and compost, and later traced the smell back to the co-op. She disputes claims that she is trying to shut down the seafood industry, saying her concerns center on how the waste is transported and stored.
“That’s me just trying to get y’all to do what you’re supposed to do. You’re supposed to cover it. You’re not supposed to drip. There’s an ordinance. There’s something already in place. That’s not me trying to change any laws or ordinances or anything,” Rubattino said.
Mayor Henry Barnes said the issue has come up at nearly every council meeting over the past few months. He said the processors and those receiving the waste are following the rules, and that some changes have already been made to address the complaints.
“To put new seals, new gaskets on the back of them trailers that they haul this stuff in, and go down University Road instead of going down Little River Road, and they’ve been doing that,” Barnes said.
ADEM had not provided a status update on the complaints as of the most recent council meeting.