Stories from Mobile Baykeeper
Cataswamp Blues
Fighting stress with the tonic of the Tensaw.
Remembering Catawba
Remembering Catawba, a thousand-acre block of young pine plantation north of Bay Minette
Purple Martins Return to Bahía del Espíritu Santo
A poem by Susan Rouillier
West Indies Salad from Little Bird
A recipe from Little Bird in Fairhope, AL.
Captain Peter Alba
Soldier, servant, and steward of the Gulf Coast.
Pleasure Bay
The life and times of Captain Tom Yeager.
Quills, Bream, and Grass
A conversation with Darren Shirah.
Wilderness Medicine
USA’S Lynn Yonge takes his med students into the heart of the Delta for a week-long education course.
Hope Springs Eternal
The Magnolia Springs community take responsibility for the health of its waters.
Save It Now
For five generations, the Greer family has been stewards of Mobile Bay. They fear they’re losing the waters they’ve loved.
Ancient Ways
Oyster reefs once sustained the indigenous tribes of coastal Alabama. Baykeeper’s oyster restoration project aims to bring the community together and revive what’s been lost.
First Sight of Middle Bay Lighthouse
Poem by By Susan Rouillier.
Seafood Jambalaya from the Hummingbird Way
Recipe from Jim Smith, executive chef at The Hummingbird Way, is a former Top Chef contestant and a 2026 James Beard Award semi-finalist.
The Bayshore Train
Steam, salt, air, and the shaping of south Mobile County.
A Mobile Style
Ceramicist Charles Smith leaves his mark on the Port City.
Trout Life
Captain Patrick Garmeson on the state of our fishery
Seeds of Community
How a local herbalist uses nature’s bounty to unite.
Guessing Game
How local advisories leave anglers in the dark.
Young Salt
Trey King’s new sea-salt operation, Fairhope Salt Company, is making waves in coastal Alabama.
Vessels
A poem by John Miller on a father, a family boat, and what it means to let go. From his 2025 collection, How My Father Became a Boat.
To The Wonder
Nature Connect Preschool in Fairhope turns six acres of forest and creek into a classroom, where 136 students learn to become stewards of the land.
Meet Me At The Landing
A family gathering place that’s weathered decades of tides, time, and traditions.
Fishers Of Quiet Waters
The secret world of Little Green Herons.
Proud Merroir
The Cadillac of oysters from Isle Dauphine.
Restoring a Southern Native
The untold story of the Gulf-Strain striped bass in Alabama.
A Monument to Stewardship
A walk through Village Point Park Preserve in Daphne — 80 acres of coastal woods, Jackson’s Oak, and two centuries of quiet stewardship.
Shorebirds
Biologist Olivia Morpeth on protecting Alabama’s beach-nesting shorebirds — Black Skimmers, American Oystercatchers, plovers, terns — from Bayou La Batre to Orange Beach.
Fifty-Five Opening Days
Hunter Joe Norton on 55 opening days in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, how the waterfowl, the grasses, and the hunting have changed in his lifetime.
Gumbo Tales
Mobile cook Nolton Lumar, a native of Edgard, Louisiana, on his Louisiana-style gumbo — smoked turkey neck, blue crab, a patient red roux, and cooking in God’s name.
“Never Too Late To Fight” Talking with the Filmmaker of Sallie’s Ashes
Filmmaker Brennan Robideaux on “Sallie’s Ashes,” his Telluride-debuted documentary about Sallie Smith and the Coal Ash Grannies fighting to move 21 million tons of coal ash off the Mobile River.
For the SS United States as She Entered Mobile Bay
Once the fastest ship to cross the Atlantic, the SS United States now drifts toward a different kind of immortality — as an artificial reef. This poetic reflection honors her journey from glory to purpose, where coral, fish, and memory will keep her legacy alive beneath the waves.
Jubilee
When the bells ring across Mobile Bay, signaling a jubilee, one family rushes to the water to harvest the sea’s bounty. But beneath the wonder of nature’s miracle lurks something darker. Jodie Cain Smith’s Jubilee captures both the magic and menace of coastal Alabama life in this powerful CURRENTS short story.
As Toxic as Kingston: New Study Links Plant Barry Coal-Ash Pond to Nation’s Worst Spill
A new peer-reviewed study reveals that arsenic and cadmium levels in the Mobile River near Alabama’s Plant Barry coal-ash pond are as high — or higher — than those found after the catastrophic 2008 Kingston coal-ash spill. Researchers warn of serious health risks and call for urgent attention to the environmental threat in the region known as “North America’s Amazon.”
Three Bridges, The Beachcomber, and Elvis
This rich historical feature from Mobile Baykeeper’s Fall 2025 edition explores the storied past of Dog River Bridge and South Mobile’s colorful nightlife. From crabbing under the original 1905 wooden bridge to Elvis Presley’s early performances at Radio Ranch, the article captures the evolving character, culture, and community of the area — where honky-tonk clubs, soulful memories, and a changing shoreline intersect.
A Different Kind Of Journey
Peter Frank is on an epic, 6,000-mile solo canoe journey around the Great Loop—one of America’s longest and most grueling water routes—paddling it clockwise against the current, a feat accomplished only once before. Inspired by legendary canoeist Verlen Kruger and driven by personal resilience following a near-fatal accident, Peter’s voyage is as much about inner exploration as physical endurance. Along the way, he’s formed deep human connections and philosophical insights, proving that truly living often means choosing the harder path.
The Bay as Muse
This reflective profile of author Roy Hoffman explores how his coastal upbringing in Mobile and Fairhope, Alabama, deeply influenced his latest novel, The Promise of the Pelican. Drawing from rich personal memories, cultural heritage, and professional experiences, Hoffman blends setting, character, and lived history into a story rooted in empathy, identity, and the enduring power of place.
Inked Histories
In this CURRENTS feature, writer Susan Rouillier traces the forgotten French outpost at Dog River — the King’s Warehouse — where Mobile’s story began. From Bienville’s tattoos to archaeological discoveries unearthed in 1988, this deep dive reveals how early trade, ambition, and ingenuity shaped the heart of French Louisiana.
NextGen Baykeepers
At Dog River Park, local students are learning to kayak — and to care for the water. The NextGen Baykeepers program connects youth with Alabama’s rivers through exploration and environmental education. By combining science, art, and outdoor play, it’s inspiring the next generation of water stewards along the Gulf Coast.
Digging Deeper
A first-of-its-kind outreach effort turns the I-10 Mobile River Bridge dig into living history. Led by archaeologist Rachel Hines, the project reveals Native, colonial, and urban layers beneath modern infrastructure—and brings them to the public through exhibits, school kits, talks, and videos that reconnect Mobile residents with place and memory.
Sailing Sabbatical
Mobile couple Robert Willett and Isabel Goodwin turned a long-held dream into reality with a 10-week sailing sabbatical along the rugged New England coast.
The Day I Became A Bay Rat
In this poignant reflection, Jodie Cain Smith recounts her childhood experience of Hurricane Elena and the day she truly became a “bay rat” — someone deeply connected to Mobile Bay’s rugged beauty and resilient spirit.
You Are What You Eat
Alabama’s statewide Fish Consumption Advisory program lets citizens know which caught fish are safe to eat in your favorite waterways.
Days of Plenty
From childhood days on Mon Louis Island to decades in Mobile’s marine industry, 93-year-old Will Haas has witnessed a century of life along the Alabama coast. His story preserves the region’s rich heritage of family, work, and water.
Currents in Time
In his new book, Mobile writer John Sledge explores our long and storied history with Havana.
Prichard Wastewater Reform
The Longest Mile
Each fall, elite paddlers race 650 miles down the Alabama Scenic River Trail — from Weiss Lake to Fort Morgan — in the Great Alabama 650, the nation’s longest paddle race.
A Light That Never Goes Out
Gulf Coast artist Molly Thomas returns to music with Tumble Home, a record shaped by coastal roots and a near-fatal 2023 crash in Fairhope. This CURRENTS profile follows her recovery, creative partnership with Ken Rose, and the “indie swamp-pop” sound inspired by Mobile Bay’s waters and history.
A Scientific Research Center is Needed in the Delta
Often called “North America’s Amazon,” the Mobile-Tensaw Delta is one of the most biodiverse regions in the U.S. As climate change accelerates, scientists are studying how carbon and water cycles can reveal ways to protect this crucial Alabama ecosystem.
Shell Shock
For decades, oyster dredging reshaped Mobile Bay’s ecosystem and livelihoods. Today, conservationists and oystermen are rebuilding what was lost through restoration programs like Oysterkeeper. This CURRENTS feature revisits Alabama’s oyster history — and how protecting the Bay’s reefs now ensures a sustainable future for our coast and community.
Ghosts of the Delta
In the mid-1970s, hundreds of World War II Liberty ships rested quietly in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, forming the mysterious Ghost Fleet. Through family memories and maritime history, this CURRENTS story revisits Mobile’s role in America’s wartime shipbuilding boom — and the legacy of those who built, sailed, and salvaged the fleet.
Sirens of the Sea
Once rare in Alabama, manatees now frequent Mobile Bay and the Gulf Coast. Through citizen reports and tagging research, the Manatee Sighting Network tracks these gentle giants and works to protect them from cold stress, pollution, and boat strikes. Learn how locals can help conserve one of the Gulf’s most endearing species.
Required Reading
Print still matters. This curated reading list explores the Mobile-Tensaw Delta through ecology, history, archaeology, memoir, and poetry. From sweeping Gulf narratives to hyper-local field notes, these titles deepen your understanding of rivers, restoration, and culture—ideal for newcomers, lifelong residents, and anyone who wants a smarter, place-rooted bookshelf.
Silenced Sanctuary
In the marshes and estuaries of Alabama’s coast, the Little blue heron once thrived. When a rookery was destroyed on Blakeley Island, hundreds of fledglings were lost. This CURRENTS essay reflects on the beauty of these quiet birds, the fragility of their world, and the urgent need to protect their habitats.
They Call Him Droopy
For nearly sixty years, Droopy Williams has been a fixture of Mobile Bay’s shrimping life — a man whose devotion to the Delta tells the story of a changing coast and enduring spirit of the Gulf.
A Universal Language
Michael Mark, a longtime Dog River resident and competitive sailor in the International Finn Class, talks about the destruction of grass beds and soft-shell crabs along the western shore of the Bay due to siltation, partly as a result of the in-Bay disposal of dredge spoil.
Recipe: Roosters Mahi Tacos
These fresh Mahi Mahi tacos combine smoky grilled fish with crunchy jalapeño cabbage slaw, zesty pico de gallo, and creamy lime sauce — a simple, flavorful taste of the coast.
If These Walls Could Talk
Built in 1915 by lumber baron Martin Lindsey, the Lindsey–Tate House rises over Mobile Bay with French Creole charm and a century of colorful history — from hurricanes and hidden speakeasies to its present-day beauty under the care of Tim and Desiree Tate.
A Dire Warning
In his new book on the TVA Kingston coal ash disaster, author Jared Sullivan uncovers corporate failures, hidden health risks, and the resilience of cleanup workers — lessons that resonate for every community living near coal-ash sites today.
Pioneers of the Party Boat
In 1966, a few creative friends on Little Lagoon turned a wild idea — a floating screen porch with a bar and motor — into the “Kon-Taca.” Decades later, their homemade party boat still lives on in family stories and Gulf Coast legend.
Heeding the Call
Sam and Alyssa Fuller, a Coast Guard couple stationed in Mobile, share their story of service, adventure, and community connection — from search and rescue missions to family life along the Gulf Coast.
Always a Sportsman: A Chat with Outdoors Writer Nick Williams
Nick Williams, a lifelong Baldwin County resident, outdoorsman, and Baykeeper board member, reflects on his deep ties to Alabama’s waterways — from fly fishing in the Delta to advocating for cleaner, healthier rivers and stronger community unity around conservation.
Family Tradition
Chris Nelson, fourth-generation president of Bon Secour Fisheries, shares his family’s 130-year seafood legacy and his vision for rebuilding America’s seafood industry through smarter regulation, sustainable aquaculture, and renewed collaboration between fishermen and environmentalists.
A Universal Language
From Cannes to Fairhope, Alabama, world-class sailors from Mobile Bay find common ground on the water. Their shared passion for Finn racing and preserving the Bay’s health connects local and global sailing communities.
Southern Giants: An Interview with R. Scot Duncan on the Gulf Sturgeon
Author Nick Williams explores the Gulf Sturgeon’s past abundance, the crash driven by caviar demand, and today’s hurdles—dams, dredging, and legacy toxins. Biologist R. Scot Duncan explains why Mobile Bay matters, where recovery is possible, and how fish bypass projects could reconnect sturgeon to historic spawning grounds.
The Runamuck Inn: A Delta Tradition
Four generations of the Middleton family have called the Runamuck Inn their Delta retreat. Built on a 25-acre island in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, this camp stands as a testament to heritage, community, and stewardship—where rising tides, deep roots, and Alabama sunsets meet at the edge of the wild.
The Land Between the Rivers
Writer Nick Williams explores how The Nature Conservancy, with support from Patagonia’s Holdfast Collective, secured 8,000 acres between the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers. This story reveals how science, stewardship, and unlikely allies are protecting the Mobile-Tensaw Delta—one of the most important freshwater ecosystems in the world.
Love at First Bite: A Romantic Journey with Blue Crabs in Mobile Bay
Blue crabs have long been part of Mobile Bay’s coastal heritage. Learn how locals once caught crabs under moonlit waters, explore Alabama’s blue crab fishery today, and get expert insights into their life cycle and sustainability.
The Crisis in Prichard
Prichard, Alabama’s failing water and sewer system has become a public health emergency — spilling millions of gallons of sewage into local waterways. This crisis, rooted in decades of neglect, demands swift action from ADEM, the EPA, and state leaders to ensure clean, safe water for every resident.
Mud Dumping Town Hall
We heard from hundreds of concerned citizens who are deeply connected to our bay at our Town Hall on August 13th."Please don't open-water disperse in the Bay. Please don't cover up what few oysters we've got left." – Avery Bates, generational oysterman with...
Oyster Tongers Call for a Stop Federal Mud Dumping
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ current plan is to deepen and widen the ship channel and calls for them to dump 90 million cubic yards of sediment into Mobile Bay. That much sediment is sure to cause real damage to our Bay and those who depend on it to make a...
Fishing Guides Call for a Stop Federal Mud Dumping
90 million cubic yards. That is how much sediment the Army Corps of Engineers plans to put into Mobile Bay over the next 20 years for maintenance dredging of the ship channel. That 90 million cubic yards is enough to cover every football field in America with a foot...
Africatown’s Swim Program Aims to Redress Historical Wrongs
The Africatown Swim Program in Alabama is transforming how Black communities engage with water. By offering free swim lessons to local children, the program builds confidence, reduces drowning risks, and works to heal a history of exclusion and fear surrounding swimming.
The Oldest Shrimp Boat in the Bay: A Visit with David Bryan and the Miss Caylee
David Bryan is captain of the Miss Caylee. Built in 1942, it is the oldest fishing boat in Alabama working today. Bryan’s wooden craft is a style of trawler known as a Biloxi Lugger. These boats came out of the Biloxi shipyards in the late 1800s and rose to popularity...
Recipe: Hollie LeJeune’s World Famous Crab Cakes
From the kitchen of Market by the Bay in Daphne, Alabama, this classic crab cake recipe combines fresh lump crab, Old Bay, and sautéed vegetables for rich coastal flavor. A local favorite, it’s simple to make and perfect for any seafood lover.
A New Book on the Kingston Coal-Ash Spill Sounds a Dire Warning
In Low in the Valley, author Jared Sullivan examines the TVA Kingston coal-ash spill — the largest industrial disaster in U.S. history. In this interview, he reveals the hidden truths about worker exposure, government inaction, and what the South can learn about accountability and reform.
The Clay in Our Veins
While on break from his second semester at Eckerd College, Zach Sierke found his great-grandfather’s kiln on Cowpen Creek and dug clay from the same historic veins that helped build the old community. “A lot of the clay that we have is essentially fossilized silt,” he...
American Pie: Chatting Up a Lower Delta Legend
Lucy “Miss Pie” Hollings is the legendary proprietor of Cloverleaf Landing and a pillar of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta’s river-folk community. After 77 years on the water, she has thoughts on what we’re doing to the Delta — and what’s worth preserving.
Take Me To the River: The Africatown Connections Blueway Kayak Trail
The “Africatown Connections Blueway” offers more than ten miles of paddling and connects four jurisdictions (Mobile, Prichard, Chickasaw, and Mobile County) with three bodies of water (Three Mile Creek, the Mobile River, and Chickasaw Creek), ultimately linking the...
Help the Department of Public Health Enforce the Seafood Labeling Law in Alabama
The Seafood Labeling Act is now law in Alabama and consumers can contact the Alabama Department of Public Health for any violations they encounter at this link. The law, which became effective October 1, requires sellers of fish or shellfish to disclose: (1) if the...
Blood, Sweat, And Oysters: Restoring Our Wild Oyster Reefs One Garden At a Time
Our goal at Mobile Baykeeper is to contribute to restoration efforts by growing 1 million oysters over the next few years. Since the start of Mobile Baykeeper’s Oyster Gardening Program, our oysters have become the equivalent of office pets. “How are the oysters...
Mobile Baykeeper + NOAA: “Reduce the Use: Plastic in Three Parts”
Since 2020, Mobile Baykeeper has worked with the NOAA Marine Debris Program to educate and build awareness about the city's litter problem and how it affects our waters, while providing solutions to local business owners about finding alternatives to single-use...
EPA Action on Closure of Coal-Ash Pond Unresolved
EPA fines APCo; Settles Two of Three Potential Violations MOBILE, ALA. — The EPA has reached a settlement with Alabama Power on two issues related to potential violations at Plant Barry coal-ash pond, but the most pressing problem remains unresolved: millions of...
When We Pollute Our Waters, We Pollute Our Bodies
In Alabama, many families rely on local rivers for food — but hidden toxins like PCBs and mercury threaten both health and tradition. Riverkeepers across the state are helping anglers understand where it’s safe to fish, why advisories matter, and how pollution connects from water to dinner table.
Perdido Blues
Perdido Bay tells a layered story: seagrass loss, murky upper-bay sludge, and mill discharges alongside new no-motor zones, island restoration, and surprising catches. From Soldier Creek to the Lillian Bridge, guides, scientists, and locals reveal what’s hurting the fishery, what’s improving, and how recovery may unfold.
The Tug is the Drug
Mobile Bay’s fly scene blends heritage and hustle: pioneers like Jimbo Meador, new guides and clubs, shallow-draft skiffs and kayaks, and patterns from Clousers to Squimps. Learn when the water clears, how wind and current shape presentations, and where sight-casting still shines for reds, jacks, trout, and more.
The Man Who Saved the Pelicans: A Tribute to Wilson Gaillard
A visionary idea turned dredge spoil into Gaillard Island — now the Gulf Coast’s largest rookery and a keystone refuge for Brown Pelicans. From DDT-era collapse to more than 10,000 nests, this story traces Wilson Gaillard’s foresight, the Army Corps’ design, and how a man-made habitat revived a species.
The Oldest Shrimp Boat in the Bay: A Visit with David Bryan and the Miss Caylee
Captain David Bryan’s Miss Caylee—a 1942 Biloxi Lugger—is the oldest working shrimp boat in Alabama. From Hollinger’s Island to Deer River, Bryan has seen the shrimping industry evolve from local prosperity to battling cheap imports. He and his wife Debra now sell fresh, wild-caught Gulf shrimp straight from their dock.
Outokumpu: Going Above and Beyond
In Calvert, north Mobile County, Outokumpu’s stainless steel plant has taken voluntary steps to protect the Tombigbee River. By installing a simple, low-cost system to reduce nitrate discharge by 40%, the mill is showing that proactive environmental leadership can strengthen both community trust and long-term sustainability.
Built to Last: A Stauter’s Legacy
In 1984, Caine O’Rear’s father bought a 1966 Stauter Aqua Queen — one of the Gulf Coast’s classic handmade wooden boats. Forty years later, it still cruises Mobile Bay, a floating testament to the craftsmanship of Stauter Boat Works and a time when mahogany, salt, and family memories defined summer on the water.
The Roots of Life: Seagrass and the Carbon Connection
Marine biologist Dottie Byron of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab studies the underwater meadows of Mobile Bay — home to seagrasses like Widgeon Grass and Turtle Grass that sustain everything from ducks to redfish. Her research reveals how these humble plants form the foundation of the Gulf’s entire food web.
How Emma Rhodes Promotes Habitat Conservation Through Bird-Banding
Based on Dauphin Island, Alabama, avian biologist Emma Rhodes is helping track migratory birds across the Gulf Coast through banding and telemetry research. Her work with the Banding Coalition of the Americas — and her outreach to young birders — is shaping the next generation of Gulf Coast conservation leaders.
The Timeless River
When Cade Kistler set out to paddle Alabama’s Perdido River with his son, father, and friends, the trip became more than a birthday adventure — it was a lesson in slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and finding joy away from screens in the heart of the wild Gulf Coast watershed.
Flounder Man: Chatting with USA’s Dylan Kiene
Marine biologist Dylan Kiene is uncovering the secrets of Alabama’s flounder through acoustic tracking and migration studies in Mobile Bay. In this Q&A, he shares insights on flounder behavior, conservation challenges, and how local anglers can help sustain one of the Gulf Coast’s most distinctive and most misunderstood fish.
Pipe Dreams: Inside Alabama’s Surf Scene
Alabama isn’t famous for surf, but when fronts and storms line up, The Cove in Orange Beach turns on. Photographer Courtney Mason Hilley follows Austin Maynard and friends as they read buoys, swap boards, and respect rip currents—sharing how the BP spill reshaped their bond with the Gulf and why even brief sessions feel sacred.
The Waves We Leave Behind
In a moving reflection, Baykeeper Cade Kistler remembers Sallie Smith and Carol Adams-Davis — two tireless environmental leaders whose lives embodied service, courage, and kindness. Their work reminds us that while time is finite, our choices and actions can leave waves that ripple through communities long after we’re gone.
Life Down the Bay: Looking Back at a Lifetime on the Water
For seven decades, lifelong Mobilian Frank Foley has lived on the shores of Mobile Bay, witnessing storms, growth, and the changing tides of his hometown. From floundering as a boy to watching new families discover the same peace he’s always found on the water, Foley’s story is a portrait of resilience and belonging.
EPA Finalizes Denial of Alabama’s Coal Ash Permitting Program
Denial stops “cap-in-place” at leaking ash pits. Baykeeper: Move coal ash away from waterways now.
Thoroughbreds, Bay Breezes, and Frenzied Betting: A History of Magnolia Race Course
In 1870, Magnolia Race Course stood as a vibrant centerpiece of Mobile’s sporting life — where crowds gathered under mossy oaks to watch the South’s fastest Thoroughbreds thunder down the track. Writer Susan Rouillier revisits this forgotten landmark and the remarkable man behind it, Captain William Cottrill, whose legacy endures in Saratoga’s Alabama Stakes.
2024 Seafood Labeling Bill
The Alabama Seafood Labeling Law ensures honesty at the table by requiring restaurants and retailers to label seafood as domestic or imported, wild-caught or farm-raised. This transparency protects consumers and supports Alabama’s local shrimpers, who have struggled against cheap foreign imports that have long undercut Gulf Coast fishing livelihoods.
The Clay in Our Veins
Pottery connects the people of Mobile Bay across millennia — from indigenous artisans of Bottle Creek to modern makers like Zach Sierke and Susie Bowman. Shaped by the region’s unique clay and waterways, this enduring craft tells the story of community, creativity, and the deep relationship between land and art.
Alabama’s Abysmal Environmental Record
After 40 years working with environmental regulators across the nation, engineer Lynn Phillips turned his focus to Alabama, where underenforcement and community neglect have left deep scars. His reflections reveal both the challenges and the hope he’s found through grassroots action and a shared commitment to clean water for all.
Last Shop Standing: Hooked Up by the Bay on the Causeway
Hooked Up by the Bay isn’t just a bait shop—it’s a gathering place for anglers, families, and old friends on the Causeway. Owners Kim and Brenton Grace talk about early mornings, loyal customers, the local fishing scene, and why caring for clean water is essential to keeping this tight-knit community thriving.
It Just Keeps Rolling: The Outdoorsman Seafood and Feed
Change comes for everyone — and everything — along Alabama’s coast. Writer Nick Williams explores the shifting tides of the Delta and the seafood industry through Joey and Lil’ Bit Kobitz of The Outdoorsman Seafood and Feed, whose work reflects both the challenges and enduring spirit of life on the water.
A Seat at the Table: Salty Pirates Seafood Wants to Give Alabama Seafood Workers a Voice
When Dauphin Island seafood workers Michael Williams and Kerry Mitchell formed the Alabama Commercial Fishermen Association, their goal was simple: to give Gulf Coast fishermen, shrimpers, and oystermen a seat at the table. Their fight for fair labeling, relief access, and sustainable management may help protect a way of life generations deep.
Recipe: Oysters Casino at The Hummingbird Way
A Gulf Coast favorite gets the royal treatment at The Hummingbird Way. This indulgent oyster recipe combines crisp bacon lardons, butter, and lemon with golden panko and a hint of fennel pollen — a rich, smoky twist on a coastal classic straight from Mobile’s celebrated kitchen.
A Visit with The Hummingbird Way’s Jim Smith
Chef Jim Smith’s Hummingbird Way has helped redefine Mobile’s culinary landscape, championing Gulf seafood, local farms, and sustainable dining. From his days as Alabama’s Executive Chef to a feature on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” Smith’s mission remains the same: serve food with integrity, flavor, and a sense of place.
Blood, Sweat, And Oysters: Restoring Our Wild Oyster Reefs One Garden At a Time
Through a partnership with Auburn University’s Volunteer Oyster Gardening Program, Mobile Baykeeper is restoring life below the surface — growing oysters that clean our waters, protect shorelines, and rebuild reefs. Learn how local homeowners can turn their docks into living laboratories for a healthier Mobile Bay.
2024 SHOR Act
You have the right to know if your catch is safe. The SHOR Act will make Alabama’s fish consumption advisories law — requiring signs at boat ramps, advisories on fishing licenses, and transparent data from state agencies. Protect your family, your health, and your waterways. Tell your legislator to pass the SHOR Act today.
Take Me To the River: The Africatown Connections Blueway
Africatown’s story returns to the water. The Africatown Connections Blueway links history and habitat across Three Mile Creek, the Mobile River, and Chickasaw Creek—adding access points, honoring sacred sites, and fueling cultural and economic renewal. Explore the plan, the people behind it, and how paddlers can experience the route today.
American Pie: Chatting Up a Lower Delta Legend
For 70+ years, Lucy “Pie” Hollings—Miss Pie to everyone on the Tensaw—has watched over Cloverleaf Landing. In this candid interview, she talks catfish lines, hurricane-changed banks, giant hogs, and why a watched ramp stays safe and clean. A portrait of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta’s people, water, and unwritten code.
Not Just Weeds: USA’s Charlie Martin on the Importance of Seagrass
University of South Alabama marine scientist Charlie Martin studies how aquatic plants sustain the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. In this Q&A, he discusses the importance of seagrass meadows, the threats they face from development and sea level rise, and what boaters and residents can do to help restore Alabama’s foundational coastal habitats.
A Devastating Blow: Reflecting on the Supreme Court’s Decision in Sackett v. EPA
Baykeeper Cade Kistler reflects on the Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA ruling and what it means for the future of America’s wetlands. Despite setbacks, he urges citizens and lawmakers to act — locally and nationally — to restore protections for waterways, wetlands, and wildlife that sustain our communities and future generations.
Pirate Spirit: The Early Days of the Buccaneer Yacht Club
Founded in 1928 by four sailors seeking adventure, the Buccaneer Yacht Club has grown from a modest dock at Barrett’s Beach into one of Mobile Bay’s most storied institutions. From its legendary schooner clubhouse, the Resolute, to today’s thriving community of sailors, BYC remains a symbol of camaraderie and maritime passion.
You Saved Rabbit Creek!
Thanks to your voices, more than 100 acres of pristine Rabbit Creek wetlands are now permanently protected. This victory safeguards clean water, prevents flooding, and ensures wildlife habitat in the Dog River Watershed for generations to come. Your calls, letters, and advocacy made the difference — proving what Coastal Alabamians can do together.
Save Rabbit Creek
A handshake deal will protect crucial wetlands in Mobile’s Dog River Watershed near Rabbit Creek. While not yet finalized, the agreement represents a major step toward preserving sensitive wetland areas for future generations. Baykeeper thanks Mayor Stimpson, Councilman Ben Reynolds, and the community for standing up for clean water and smart growth.
The Timeless Elegance of the Osprey
Once imperiled by pesticides and habitat loss, the osprey has made a stunning comeback along Mobile Bay. With keen eyes and unmatched fishing skills, this magnificent raptor — known as the fish hawk — symbolizes strength, grace, and renewal. Susan Rouillier explores its habits, nesting rituals, and enduring connection to coastal Alabama.
Reclaiming Africatown’s Hog Bayou
Hog Bayou, once Africatown’s treasured hunting and fishing ground, has long been cut off and polluted by industry. Now, community leaders like Major Joe Womack and Ramsey Sprague are fighting to reclaim it — turning a symbol of loss into a beacon of justice, restoration, and resilience for future generations along the Mobile waterfront.
What’s In a Boat Name? A Lot, Actually
For Glenn Stadd, naming his sailboat Mozal Tov was both a joke and a triumph. After years of repairs, the once-doomed Pearson Resolute 20 finally sails again — and now carries the title of Mobile Baykeeper’s “Best Boat Name.” A fitting name, says Glenn, for a vessel that was truly “about time.”
Lotus Eater: Up Close and Personal with a Delta Jewel
Each summer, the American Lotus transforms the Delta into a sea of gold. In this vivid essay, Caine O’Rear paddles through Ducker Bay near Meaher State Park to witness the late-season bloom — reflecting on beauty, balance, and the peace found far from the traffic of the Bayway.
The Enduring Delta Queen
Kayaking through the mysterious Mobile-Tensaw Delta, Sam Wilkes and a small crew search for Alabama’s Champion Cypress — a 300-year-old relic of the ancient forests that once blanketed the Gulf Coast. Their muddy trek reveals not just the state’s largest cypress, but a living monument to endurance, history, and preservation.
Recipe: The Noble South’s Shrimp and Grits
Chef Chris Rainosek of The Noble South elevates a Southern staple with this Gulf Shrimp & Grits recipe — featuring sweet, wild-caught Gulf shrimp, roasted tomatoes, and creamy stone-ground grits. A dish that captures the true taste of Coastal Alabama, straight from one of Mobile’s most beloved restaurants.
The Boat People
From the fall of Saigon to the docks of Bayou La Batre, Vietnamese “boat people” forged new lives along the Gulf Coast. Writer Caine O’Rear traces how Boat People SOS — a nonprofit born from their struggle — continues to empower Southeast Asian families through support, advocacy, and community resilience.
Born on the Bayou: Generational Shrimpers Say Industry is Facing Existential Threat
Fresh off the Perseverance, wild Alabama shrimp sell by the bucket in Bayou La Batre. But imported shrimp, fuel costs, and tough seasons endanger a way of life. Caine O’Rear profiles SeaHarvest Shrimp, Mayor Barnes, and a community determined to keep the Gulf’s heritage—and superior flavor—alive.
“‘Coon Dog Nights and Crappie Mornings”: An Interview with Dip McMillian
This article is from the fall edition of Mobile Baykeeper’s print quarterly, CURRENTS. The magazine is mailed to active members who have given more than $50 in 2023. To get on the magazine’s mailing list, donate here. by Nick Williams | Photo and video by Caine...
The Oyster Gospel: A Q&A with Bama Bay Oyster Farm’s Jackie Wilson
Bama Bay may be “boutique,” but nothing about its work is small. Jackie Wilson shares how a woman-led oyster farm balances science, storms, loss, and love of place—growing clean, beautiful oysters and preaching the “Oyster Gospel” to protect Mobile Bay.
The Muddying of Mobile Bay
Uncontrolled stormwater runoff from construction sites is suffocating Mobile Bay’s waters and erasing generations of natural beauty. In this urgent call to action, Cade Kistler outlines how lax enforcement and developer negligence threaten our seagrass, fisheries, and communities — and what Baykeeper is doing to fight for clean, living water once again.
The Majestic Great Blue Heron: A Sentinel of the Waters
From plumage and flight to nesting, diet, and moonlit foraging, this guide spotlights the Great blue heron—Alabama’s most iconic wader—and pinpoints local viewing spots from Dauphin Island pines to tidal pools, Langan Park, Dog River, and the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Elegant, adaptable, and photogenic, the GBH rewards patient birders year-round.
Confessions of a Worm Snob: Boutwell’s Bait and Tackle Is a Must-Stop for Your Delta Fishing Trip
For more than 70 years, Boutwell’s Bait Shop has been a Baldwin County landmark. Writer Nick Williams visits Ms. Becky Parker and her trusty sidekick Peanut to explore how this humble Delta shop remains a living link between generations of anglers and the wild, unhurried spirit of Mobile Bay’s backwaters.
Escape to Mound Island: Kayaking Through the Heart of the Delta to the Bottle Creek Indian Mounds
Paddle through “America’s Amazon” to Bottle Creek, the Mississippian mound complex hidden in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. This feature traces the culture’s origins, how to reach Mound Island by water, what remains today, and why preservation—amid modern threats like coal ash—matters for Alabama’s irreplaceable past and living Delta.
Vibrio: What You Need To Know, And Why You Shouldn’t Panic
Vibrio bacteria are a natural part of Gulf Coast waters, but infections are rare and preventable. This guide explains how Vibrio spreads, when risks are highest, and how to protect yourself while swimming, fishing, or eating seafood in Mobile Bay and beyond. Knowledge keeps coastal fun safe.
Alabama’s Legacy of Environmental Justice
Alabama’s civil rights legacy lives on in its fight for environmental justice. This article explores how regulatory power, corporate profits, and pollution intersect—revealing a modern struggle where the echoes of inequality persist. From coal ash controversies to public accountability, Alabama stands again at the crossroads of justice and change.
Causeway Chronicles: Tales From A Storied Parkway
From the banks of the Causeway to the heart of the Delta, lifelong anglers share what keeps them coming back to Alabama’s waters. Their stories reveal a landscape rich with beauty and memory, yet shadowed by pollution and change — a portrait of resilience, community, and a deep love for the Bay.
The Bay Is Your Oyster
At Fort Morgan’s southern edge of Mobile Bay, Admiral Shellfish is redefining Gulf oysters. With crystal water, 20–24 PPT salinity, and hands-on curation, these farmed oysters grow fast, look gorgeous, and taste briny with subtle melon notes. Chefs from New Orleans to Birmingham are taking notice—and so are diners seeking true Gulf merroir.
Seeking Out The Source
Mobile Baykeeper has teamed up with the University of South Alabama to source-track pollution in Dog River in an effort to identify major sources of bacteria
Breaking The Habit: Mobile’s Kiss-Off To Single-Use Plastic
Plastic pollution has invaded every corner of our environment—from the air we breathe to Mobile Bay’s waters. Through the Reduce the Use campaign, Mobile Baykeeper and local businesses are leading a grassroots movement to eliminate single-use plastics, protect marine life, and inspire a sustainable culture along Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
A Talk with Naturalist and Eco-Tour Guide Jimbo Meador
Master Naturalist Jimbo Meador reflects on a lifetime on Mobile Bay—clear water and thick seagrass beds then, muddy runoff and algal blooms now. In this conversation, he demystifies jubilees vs. red tides, traces how development fuels turbidity, and makes the case for buffers and nursery habitats to sustain the Delta’s future.
It’s All Connected: A Q&A With Marine Scientist John Lehrter
From the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to the University of South Alabama, Dr. John Lehrter studies the Mobile Bay Watershed’s changing health. In this interview, he shares what’s threatening local waters—from low oxygen to pollution—and why protecting this natural treasure is essential for Alabama’s coastal communities.
Lessons Of The Lagoon: A Forced Entry Into Fishing
Writer Hanlon Walsh recalls his childhood summers on Little Lagoon with his grandfather, Rock “Ricky” O’Neill — a man whose fishing obsession and fierce love for the outdoors shaped his family’s connection to the coast. It’s a story of patience, legacy, and learning to love the water in one’s own way.
Breaking Down The Rabby Creek Sewage Spill
What Happened: The Mobile Area Water and Sewer System (MAWSS) experienced a significant sewage spill that lasted four days and ended on April 21. The spill totaled more than 4.6 million gallons of sewage. The spill affected Rabby Creek, a tributary of Dog River....
Connecting With Oysters In Alabama
Mobile Baykeeper’s Patrol Team joined local oyster farmer and inventor Andy DePaola for a day on the water to learn about oyster restoration and “The Shellevator.” From historic reef loss to modern recovery efforts, the team witnessed firsthand how innovation and stewardship could help restore Alabama’s vital oyster populations.
Get The SHOR Act Passed
2023: Earlier this year, we challenged those of you who care about the health of our waters to no longer accept the status quo and be ready to take action. Today, we are asking you to answer that challenge. For generations, fishing has been an essential part of life...
Who You Gonna Call? How Patrol Team Tackles Pollution Threats
From stormwater runoff to sewage spills, Mobile Baykeeper’s AmeriCorps Patrol Team investigates pollution across Coastal Alabama. Acting as a vital bridge between citizens and enforcement agencies, they turn community concern into action to keep the Mobile Bay Watershed clean for generations to come.
Recipe: Jesse’s Creole-Broiled Admiral Oysters
Straight from Jesse’s Restaurant in Magnolia Springs and Jesse’s On The Bay, this rich Creole-broiled oyster recipe combines Crystal Hot Sauce, rosemary, and Gruyère for a smoky Gulf Coast favorite. Perfect for entertaining, it brings the flavor of Alabama’s waters to your kitchen or grill.
Point Clear in the ’80s: A Remembrance
Writer Caine O’Rear looks back on childhood summers in 1980s Point Clear — a time of Stauter boats, Cypress Garden skis, and muddy Bay adventures. In vivid detail, he captures the sights, smells, and mischief that made growing up on Mobile Bay a paradise unlike any other.
The Sailing Life
Fifteen-year-old sailor Addy Deputy has grown up on Mobile Bay, mastering the wind and water through instinct and experience. Now a national champion, she embodies the next generation of Gulf Coast sailors — blending skill, curiosity, and deep respect for the Bay that shaped her.
Lessons of the Lagoon, Part II: Learning the “Lillis” Way
In this moving tribute, Hanlon Walsh honors his Aunt Lillis, whose warmth, humor, and love of Little Lagoon made her the heart of countless family memories. From sunny days on the landing to laughter-filled nights on the porch, her motto — “Lagoon Like Lillis” — continues to guide those who loved her most.
Imagining the Seven Brothers: A Tribute to My Great-Grandfather and His Life on the Water
Josh Tolbert looks back on his family’s deep fishing heritage — generations of men who worked the Gulf aboard a boat called Seven Brothers. Through memory and loss, he explores what it means to carry on a legacy tied to the water and to honor those whose livelihoods came from the sea.
Bay of the Holy Spirit: Imagining What Was and What Could Be
Will we accept our role in protecting the Earth or continue to distance ourselves from it?
Songs Of The Gulf Coast
Music journalist Jim Beviglia explores how the Gulf of Mexico has inspired some of the most memorable American songs — from heartfelt ballads to bayou funk. His curated playlist captures the soul of life along the coast, where every tune feels touched by salt air and Southern storytelling.
Lessons of the Lagoon: Remembering a Southern Matriarch
From back-scratches at the kitchen counter to stargazing on the porch, Hanlon Walsh celebrates the spirit of his grandmother “Sa” and the family traditions she built at Little Lagoon. Her love and strength remain woven into every visit to Alabama’s beloved coastal retreat.
Defining the Problem: A Note from William
In his 2023 Annual Report letter, Executive Director William Strickland challenges Coastal Alabamians to move beyond passive concern toward action. Drawing inspiration from Dr. King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, he calls for collective courage to protect and restore Mobile Bay — proving that prosperity and clean water can thrive together.