By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The prospect of a solution to the stink from a long-abandoned fish sauce plant in St. Mary’s is a potential breath of fresh air for residents.
Mayor Steve Ryan said last week that paperwork has been sent to the provincial Department of Environment asking for approval to move forward with a tender for both disposal of the vats of festering fish sauce, as well as removal of the old building.
“It’s been a long time coming, too long. It’s been over 10 years,” said Ryan. “I’m so sick of talking about the sauce plant. The smell is really bad, especially on a calm day with no wind.”
The Atlantic Seafood Sauce Company Ltd., opened the location near the shore in St. Mary’s in 1990, but later abandoned the building and its estimated 100 vats.
Ryan said funds were allocated for the cleanup by the Province last year, but with the change of government in the fall, there was a concern the project would need to await the new budget this spring.
He feels that getting to a solution received heightened urgency when wind ripped one of the sides – the one facing the water – off the old building back in January.
Ryan hopes that approval to go to tender comes through in the coming weeks and that shovels will get in the ground in May and have it all done in June.
“Here’s hoping she’s all done before the hot weather gets here,” said the mayor.
