All operations have been suspended at Coastal Shell Products in Richibucto.
The company says operational limitations imposed by the province of New Brunswick over the past two years have made it impossible to continue financially.
“We have tried to work with the Provincial and federal governments for over 18 months to implement a mitigation plan over odour concerns from the public,” says Coastal Shell Manager Jamie Goguen. “We’ve invested hundreds of thousands, have operated at a loss of over $1.2 million and continued to employ over 25 staff to show our commitment to resolving public concerns and our commitment to New Brunswick’s shellfish industry that relies on Coastal Shell for waste disposal.”
The province reduced the operating hours at Coastal Shell in 2022 following public odour complaints from the public.
Goguen adds the plant has operated within Provincial guidelines over the past two years, and it continued to work with the Department of Environment towards every request and complied with every restriction.
“This is an example of politics before people,” says Goguen. “The Department of Environment created impossible operating conditions and waited until our company couldn’t afford to operate any longer. While some will be happy we are suspending operations, this is catastrophic for New Brunswick’s lobster and crab fisheries and will create real environmental issues that the Province will now be forced to address,” says Goguen.
Twenty staff have been laid off and more job losses are expected.
