Nestled on the Mississippi Sound, along the Gulf of Mexico, is the city of Bayou La Batre located in South Mobile County, Alabama. This historic French city, pronounced “By-luh-ba-tree”, is a fishing community known as the Seafood Capitol of Alabama because of the seafood-processing harbor along the water for fishing boats and shrimp boats. This seafood industry has a great economic impact on our State more than $400 million including other seafood brought in from other states to process. Bayou La Batre is also known for their great history of shipbuilding of fishing vessels to passenger vessels. Along Shell Belt Road is a favorite area of mine to photograph the different personalities of the shrimp boats docked along the old weathered piers and capture water birds, such as pelicans and herons, that live along the water. Of course, Sunsets and sunrises always bring great mood and light to the scene.
Bayou La Batre was made famous in the 1994 movie, “Forrest Gump”. Who can forget all the great shrimp dishes Forrest’s friend Bubba describes in the movie? Did I forget to tell you how fabulous the seafood restaurants are in this charming city? Shout out to the Lighthouse Restaurant and the Catalina Restaurant for the best mouthwatering seafood in the Bayou. Believe me, these are the places to go for the freshest seafood. Another fun fact is that Disney Studios had secretly built the Black Pearl in the Bayou La Batre shipyard that was featured in the “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Also, Discovery Channel “Big Shrimpin” TV series was produced to showcase shrimpers and their boats all from Bayou La Batre.
This community loves to host events to celebrate their seafood industry. The most famous is the “Blessing of the Fleet”. This event takes place on May 4th and 5th every year and is the unofficial kick-off to the shrimping season. The Fleet Blessing ceremony takes place on the dock at St. Margaret Parish with the Archbishop of the Diocese of Mobile who begins the ceremony with a prayer. All kinds of decorated boats form a procession behind the boat carrying the Archbishop, where they parade to the mouth of the bayou and back while the Archbishop blesses the boats for a bountiful harvest and protection and safety of the men and women at sea. The newest event I plan to attend is their first annual Oyster Fest which is to take place on Saturday, October 2, 2021. I cannot wait for more details to be released. I do love me some good char-grilled oysters.
Finally, I am so excited for Bayou La Batre’s newest project to revitalize its waterfront and protect the shoreline habitats. This project will protect 127 acres of land and install 1.5 miles of breakwater. The public will also have added access for recreation and fishing opportunities. It is called the Lightning Point restoration project and will help rebuild the diminishing coastline. This project will include shoreline protection, habitat creation of 40 acres of march, tidal creeks and habitats that include and support fish, shellfish, and birds of all kind. There will also be boat ramps, walking trails and a lookout point for the community to enjoy. I am so excited for this new habit which will encourage diversity of the plants and animals. Lightning Point project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2020. So, come to the Bayou and enjoy this hidden diamond in the rough.
