Residents of a village on Russia's Azov Sea coast are trying to stop a local building company from removing sea shells from their shoreline. They fear if the work continues the natural barrier between the sea and their houses will disappear and their vill

For the third year in a row a construction firm from the town of Yeisk has taken out 50 thousand tonnes of the sea shells from the coastline.

And they plan to take out fifteen times more in the coming years.

The shell stone is considered a cheap building material and is used to cover the beaches of the neighboring spit as well as repair asphalt roads.

The company's director, Aleksandr Kalachanov, says the work benefits the community.
 
“This is just a little something to help the locals. Our company is officially registered and we pay taxes,”  he said.  

But the shoreline is already partly eroded. Experts say that in two years the natural barrier between the sea and the settlement will be completely degraded.

Local fisherman Aleksandr Bondaryov says the work also threatens marine life in the region as well as his livelihood.

“They are quarrying here. After the first flood the spit will be cut off. Also, we have here a breeding area for pike, perch and other fish.  If they continue doing what they are doing, all the mud will go into the gulf,” Bondaryov said. 

It's unclear why local inspectors allow excavation work to continue.