CCA Alabama Statement on Mobile Ship Channel Project

Posted on June 24, 2025

CCA Alabama Statement on Mobile Ship Channel Project

June 23, 2025

Since our founding in 1982, CCA Alabama has proudly supported the health and sustainability of Mobile Bay through a wide range of initiatives, including finfish research in collaboration with local institutions, artificial reef development, and advocating for responsible fishery management practices that benefit both current and future generations.

In recent months, we’ve engaged in numerous conversations with our members, marine scientists, anglers, and local captains regarding the Mobile Ship Channel Project. There is growing concern about the current practices employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, specifically the ongoing and planned disposal of dredged materials directly back into Mobile Bay for the next 20 years.

Our top priority is to see dredged materials used in beneficial restoration projects throughout coastal Alabama—projects that rebuild and protect our coastal environment. We are grateful for the leadership shown by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the support from Senator Britt’s office in identifying such projects and helping to secure funding for them. Until these beneficial use projects are approved and ready for implementation, we believe that disposing of dredged materials outside of Mobile Bay is the only responsible alternative. We urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to avoid dumping these materials back into the bay.

We are also increasingly concerned about the low dissolved oxygen levels that occur in Mobile Bay, and how dredging operations may be contributing to this issue. This is an important environmental concern that demands further scientific study and attention. A deeper understanding of how dredging affects the bay’s health is critical, as is identifying strategies to minimize and mitigate these impacts moving forward.

Mobile Bay plays a crucial role in supporting the well-being of Alabamians and serves as a cornerstone of the state’s economy through the Port of Mobile. We are confident that with careful stewardship and thoughtful planning, we can meet the needs of both the environment and the economy, ensuring long-term benefits for current residents and future generations alike.