The Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coast has a long tradition of working waterfronts, small towns that produce some of the best seafood in the world. Over the years, however, changes in the way we use the land and pressures from development have meant smaller working waterfronts with a growing competition for dock space for working boats. Some towns have lost their fishing heritage completely.
But many cities and towns are actively creating and preserving space for their working waterfront. The City of Fairhope’s (Alabama) marina, the Fairhope Docks, is one of those places. MASGC provided assistance to the Docks to redesign the space to meet Clean and Resilient Marina standards and decrease stormwater runoff into Mobile Bay, protecting the fisheries. In addition, the city wanted to continue its traditional fishing heritage, providing subsidized dock space for working commercial vessels and encouraging direct seafood sales with those fishermen.
Recently, the Docks welcomed a new working shrimp vessel, the Capt. Sam B., and the Docks is working with the fisherman to promote fresh shrimp sales directly with the boat. This unique project is a great example of promoting an environment of mixed waterfront uses coexisting in one facility while maintaining the cultural heritage of the community. MASGC commends the city and the Docks in their efforts to protect and preserve an active, vibrant working waterfront on the Gulf Coast. For more information and to follow future developments, follow Fairhope Docks Marina on Facebook.
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