Bayou La Batre, “Alabama’s seafood capital”, is experiencing some major economic adversity causing Mayor Henry Barnes to issue a declaration of disaster.

The issue is a flood of foreign seafood being dumped into the area which is effecting the local fishing community.

State Rep. Chip Brown has requested Gov. Kay Ivey issue a disaster declaration, which would lead to an increase of resources to tackle the problem.

“I am writing to request a disaster declaration for Bayou La Batre and South Mobile County, Alabama’s Seafood Capital,” Brown (R-Hollinger’s Island) wrote. “With the price of gas hitting record highs, and the value of shrimp now worth only $1 per pound, more and more shrimp boat owners are unable to do anything other than dock their vessels.

“The extreme decrease in cost per pound of shrimp is due to a recent influx of imported foreign seafood. The City of Bayou La Batre has issued a disaster declaration, and I ask for your help and support for the people of my district by issuing a disaster declaration as Governor of Alabama. Thank you for your consideration, and please reach out to me with any questions.”

Barnes told WSFA12 the problem has gotten worse, recently.

“They can’t make a living at a dollar pound shrimp and almost $4 a gallon diesel fuel,” he said. “You just can’t do it. Some of these boats, they’ll consume 50 to 80 gallons an hour of diesel fuel.”

Barnes also said the city has discussed the issue with Ivey in the past.

“It’s not like this is something new that’s just started,” he said. This has been going on for 30 to 40 years.

“You know, it’s just now – it’s so extreme.”

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.