Rhett Marques Fought for
Mobile Bay.
And Won.

When special interests were burying oyster reefs and destroying Alabama livelihoods, Rep. Rhett Marques took a stand. He wrote and passed the Save Our Bay Act. And Gov. Kay Ivey signed it.











$98.3B
Economic impact of the Port of Mobile on Alabama's economy
351K
Alabama jobs tied to Mobile Bay — 1 in every 7 in the state
80%+
Decline in Mobile Bay oyster populations since 1950
90M
Cubic yards of sediment projected to enter the Bay over the next 20 years
The Problem

Mud dumping was burying our Bay — and nobody was stopping it.

Mud dumping happens when sediment dredged from Mobile Bay's shipping channels is sprayed back onto the Bay's surface — clouding the water and smothering the oyster beds, seagrass, and wildlife that thousands of Alabama families depend on for their livelihoods.

The numbers tell the story. Adult oysters on reefs were down 45% in a single year. Oyster larvae were down 87%. One shrimper said his summer 2025 catch was less than half his typical haul — the worst season on record. Oyster farmers were pulling cages after less than a week, coated in thick muck.

"Dredged material disposal has smothered oyster reefs and seagrass, damaging the very habitat our fisheries and coastal communities depend on."

— Mobile Baykeeper

With 90 million cubic yards of sediment on track to enter the Bay over the next 20 years — enough to blanket the entire bay floor in 2.5 inches of mud — the Gulf Coast's fishing, tourism, and coastal economy were all at serious risk. The Port of Mobile alone supports $98.3 billion in economic activity and 1 in every 7 jobs in Alabama.

What Rhett Did About It

Filed on Day One

Rhett filed House Bill 181 — the Save Our Bay bill — on January 13, 2026, the very first day of the Alabama legislative session. No waiting to see which way the wind blew.

Built a Real Coalition

The bill was endorsed by business groups, commercial fishermen, environmentalists, mayors, and real estate associations — all at the same time. It passed the Alabama House unanimously.

Signed Into Law

Gov. Kay Ivey signed the Save Our Bay law in February 2026, banning the in-bay disposal of dredged sediment and protecting the Bay's reefs, fisheries, and economy for good.

Take Action

Call Rhett Marques.
Say Thank You.

Rhett fought for Mobile Bay when it mattered most. Let him know Alabama is grateful.