Saving Seafood

Buy American Seafood Act Could Help U.S. Fishermen

April 17, 2026 — The following was released by the Southern Shrimp Alliance:

Today, the Southern Shrimp Alliance welcomed Representative Julia Letlow’s (R-LA) introduction of the Buy American Seafood Act, which would prohibit Federal agencies from procuring seafood for covered food programs unless the seafood is domestically sourced. The bill would also incorporate domestic seafood requirements into child nutrition programs.

“American children deserve nutritious seafood proudly produced right here under stringent U.S. food safety standards and enforcement. Congresswoman Letlow’s bill delivers exactly that — and in doing so, it supports America’s coastal economies and fishing families,” said Blake Price, director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance.

LOUISIANA: Testing During Lent Reveals 50% of Shrimp Dishes Were Imported/Farm- raised in US 190 Corridor Restaurants

March 31, 2026 — The following was released by SeaD Consulting:

SeaD Consulting today announced the results of genetic testing using its Rapid ID Genetic High-accuracy Test (RIGHTTest) conducted on shrimp dishes served at restaurants across the US 190 Corridor in Louisiana. Testing, conducted during Lenten season—a period of heightened seafood consumption in the region’s deeply rooted Catholic community—revealed that 50% of sampled restaurants (12 of 24) were serving imported/farm-raised shrimp. Of these, 38% of sampled restaurants (9 of 24) explicitly claimed to be serving American wild-caught shrimp.

Starting from Krotz Springs through Opelousas, visiting towns like Eunice and ending in Kinder, the corridor was selected to demonstrate what a typical road trip through Louisiana, with seafood restaurant stops along the way, might look like to a consumer. The area is known for its strong Louisiana heritage and tradition of homestyle cooking, such as plate lunches, and sees a surge in seafood demand during Lent. Shrimp dishes—particularly po’boys and fried platters—are widely served in gas stations, small cafés, and local eateries where consumers expect authentic, locally sourced shrimp.

Between the sampling dates of March 17–19, 2026, SeaD teams conducted random genetic testing of 24 restaurants along the 190 Corridor. Samples were analyzed to determine whether shrimp marketed or described as American wild-caught shrimp were authentic.

Key Findings

12 of 24 restaurants (50%) were confirmed to be serving American wild-caught shrimp

12 of 24 restaurants (50%) were serving imported/farm-raised shrimp while implying or representing American wild-caught origin

9 of 24 restaurants (38%) explicitly claimed to be serving American wild-caught shrimp either through staff verbalization or menu description

3 of 24 restaurants (12%) correctly identified they were serving imported/farm-raised shrimp

These findings highlight a significant gap between consumer expectations and verified sourcing in a community where seafood plays both a cultural and religious role. Testing occurred during Lent, when consumer reliance on seafood increases significantly.

Louisiana Labeling Law Compliance Concerns

Louisiana law requires restaurants serving imported shrimp to clearly disclose that information to consumers through signage or menu language.

SeaD’s findings indicate widespread non-compliance among the restaurants found to be serving imports. In multiple cases, shrimp was marketed, labeled, or verbally represented as American wild-caught despite genetic testing confirming imported/farm-raised origin—creating a high likelihood of consumer deception during a peak seafood season.

Andrew Blanchard, Head of the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force, said, “With Lent being one of the most important seafood seasons in Louisiana, it is critical that consumers can trust what they are being served. When imported shrimp is passed off as local catch—especially in communities like Eunice where seafood traditions run deep—it harms both consumers and the livelihoods of Louisiana shrimpers. We are prepared to share these findings with the Louisiana Department of Health for further review.”

Restaurants Identified in Testing

The following 190 Corridor establishments were found to be serving American wild-caught shrimp:

B + B Boiling Shack — 17607 US-190, Port Barre, LA 70577

Billy’s Boudin & Cracklins — 24467 US-190, Krotz Springs, LA 70750

Crawfish Corner — 529 S Union St, Opelousas, LA 70570

DC’s Sports Bar & Steakhouse — 1601 W Laurel Ave, Eunice, LA 70535

Fausto’s Family Restaurant — 14514 US-165, Kinder, LA 70648

Joe’s Sandwich Shop — 1633 W Vine St, Opelousas, LA 70570

Lawtell Food Mart, F&M Quick Stop — 10477 Prejean Hwy, Lawtell, LA 70550

Mo’ Crawfish — 29017 Crowley Eunice Hwy, Eunice, LA 70535

Morrow’s Diner — 24442 US-190, Krotz Springs, LA 70750

Rascal’s Cajun Express — 17681 Hwy 190 Port Barre, LA 70577

Sebastien’s West End Seafood — 1538 W Landry St, Opelousas, LA 70570

Soileau’s Dinner Club — 1618 N Main St, Opelousas, LA 70570

Context and Consumer Impact

SeaD’s 190 Corridor testing underscores ongoing challenges in seafood transparency across Louisiana markets. The high rate of misrepresentation—particularly during Lent—raises concerns about:

· Consumer trust in local seafood establishments

· Economic impact on Louisiana shrimpers during peak demand periods

· The need for stronger enforcement of seafood labeling laws

· The importance of accurate menu descriptions and staff communication

Maintaining the integrity of Louisiana’s seafood brand depends on restaurants truthfully delivering on what they are claiming to serve—and what most diners are expecting.

About the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force

The Louisiana Shrimp Task Force advises the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and related agencies on protecting and promoting the state’s wild shrimp industry. The group works to strengthen transparency, local economies, and seafood quality for consumers.

GEORGIA: Georgia legislature sends shrimp labeling bill to governor for signature

February 17, 2026 — The Georgia state legislature has passed a bill requiring restaurants to clearly label imported shrimp on their menus or with a public placard, sending it to Governor Brian Kemp to be signed into law.

“This bill simply requires that shrimp sold in foodservice establishments must be labeled as foreign imports IF they are not domestic,” State Representative Jesse Petrea, who sponsored House Bill 117, said in a social media post shortly after it passed the Georgia General Assembly. “This measure provides transparency for consumers and will benefit our GA Shrimpers.”

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

NORTH CAROLINA: Imported shrimp served at OBX restaurants touting local catch

December 29, 2025 — Genetic testing of purportedly wild-caught shrimp served earlier this month at dozens of Outer Banks restaurants found that 64% of the shrimp was actually imported.

On behalf of the Southern Shrimp Alliance, SeaD Consulting collected and analyzed shrimp samples from randomly selected seafood restaurants in Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Manteo, Rodanthe, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Nags Head and Hatteras, according to a Dec. 17 press release from SeaD. Of the 44 restaurants tested, 43 had verbally claimed to serve local American wild-caught shrimp, but only 16 — 36% — were found to be serving local shrimp in the tested dishes.

The remaining 28 restaurants had served imported farm-raised shrimp, but only one of them admitted it. All 44 of the eateries had used imagery to imply that they served local shrimp.

“The findings raise concerns about seafood transparency in an iconic coastal region known for its local fishing heritage,” the release said.

Despite the Outer Banks’ poor showing, it was noted that Wilmington did even worse, with an “inauthenticity rate” of 77% in previous testing.

SeaD (Seafood Development) Consulting, in partnership with Florida State University, holds the patent for the Rapid ID Genetic High-Accuracy Test, or RIGHTTest, that was used in the survey conducted Dec. 2-6. The Southern Shrimp Alliance, an advocacy trade group, has funded the genetic testing of shrimp throughout the region.

Shrimp, the most popular seafood in the U.S., was an $8 billion market in 2025, with Americans consuming 5 pounds per capita of shrimp a year. But it’s not local shrimpers who are raking in big profits.

According to the U.S. International Trade Commission, 93% of the shrimp consumed in the United States comes from overseas, with 1.7 billion pounds of shrimp products imported in 2024, valued at $6 billion. Meanwhile, commercial shrimp harvests in the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic declined from $522 million in 2021 to $269 million in 2023; $25 million to $14 million, respectively, in North Carolina.

Read the full article at CarolinaCoastOnline.com

MAINE: Maine shrimp fishery closed for three more years

December 15, 2025 — On Thursday, December 11, 2025, the Northern Shrimp Section of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission meeting in Portland, Maine, voted to extend the moratorium on New England’s northern shrimp fishery for another three years. The Northern Shrimp Section, comprised of members from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, made the decision to keep the fishery closed after hearing from the Northern Shrimp Technical Committee (NSTC).

The NSTC had set triggers for sea surface and bottom temperatures and recruitment, which could have started a discussion about reopening the fishery, and while sea surface temperatures reached the triggers, bottom temperature and recruitment did not.

But not everyone trusts those numbers. “You need data to manage the fishery,” says Glen Libby of Port Clyde, Maine. “And the NSTC doesn’t have any that’s reliable.”

Read the full article at National Fisherman

ASMFC Northern Shrimp Section and Advisory Panel to Meet December 11 Section to Set Fishery Specifications

November 14, 2025 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section (Section) and Advisory Panel (AP) will meet on Thursday, December 11, at the Westin Portland Harborview, 157 High Street, Portland, Maine; 207.775.5411. The AP will meet from 9 – 10 AM to review the 2025 traffic light analysis, 2025 management trigger analysis implemented through Amendment 4, and Technical Committee (TC) recommendations. Following this review, the AP will formulate recommendations for specifications.

The Section will meet from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM on the same day to review the 2025 traffic light analysis, 2025 management trigger analysis, 2025 pilot winter sampling program report, and TC and AP recommendations prior to setting specifications for the 2026 fishing year or multiple fishing years. Amendment 4, approved earlier this year, allows the Section to set a fishery moratorium for up to five years at a time, if desired.

Meeting materials will be available December 1, 2025, at https://asmfc.org/events/northern-shrimp-section-7/. There are two opportunities to provide public comment prior to the meeting (1) emailcomments@asmfc.org by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25 to be included in the meeting materials or (2) email comments@asmfc.org by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9 to be emailed directly to the Section.

For more information, please contact Chelsea Tuohy, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, atctuohy@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

Judge dismisses lawsuit claiming South Carolina restaurants sold imported shrimp under false claims it was local

November 5, 2025 — A federal judge has dismissed the lawsuit brought by the South Carolina Shrimpers Association, which alleged that local restaurants had violated federal and state law in selling imported shrimp.

“We are incredibly disappointed that a judge dismissed our ‘Shrimpgate’ lawsuit, denying us the chance to present the undisputed DNA evidence of shrimp fraud in the Lowcountry,” the association said in a statement. “This ruling hurts shrimpers, consumers, and the many honest restaurants that work hard to serve you real local shrimp. Once again, it feels like big money is winning over the truth.”

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

From Fraud to Fresh: How Shrimp Festivals Are Making Authenticity a Badge of Honor

November 4, 2025 — The following was released by SeaD Consulting:

For the second consecutive year, every vendor at the Louisiana Shrimp Festival and Shrimp Aid has been verified as serving 100% local, wild-caught Gulf shrimp, reaffirming the event’s commitment to authenticity, transparency, and support for Louisiana’s fishing communities.

Through independent testing by SeaD Consulting, using the company’s groundbreaking RIGHTTest system, each participating vendor’s shrimp passed genetic verification onsite—delivering results in under two hours. This testing program has set a new national standard for seafood festivals, ensuring attendees are served genuine Gulf shrimp from regional waters.

This marks a broader trend across the South: festivals are now holding themselves accountable to the standards they advertise. Last year, SeaD Consulting exposed vendors at the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores and the Shrimp & Petroleum Festival in Morgan City for selling imported shrimp while promoting “local” seafood. Following those revelations, the National Shrimp Festival introduced a Chief Shrimp Investigator role and, with support from the Organized Seafood Association of Alabama, contracted SeaD Consulting to test every vendor. Non-compliant vendors faced fines and were barred from selling until they sourced local, wild-caught shrimp confirmed through RIGHTTest verification.

Meanwhile, rumors of imported shrimp sales at New Orleans Jazz Fest prompted a round of genetic testing this year — with only one vendor found out of compliance. Across the Gulf Coast, festivals are recognizing that consumer trust and community sustainability depend on serving what they promise.

“It’s hard to believe that we have to ensure compliance through genetic testing, but here we are,” said Dana Honn, of the Louisiana Shrimp Festival and Shrimp Aid. “The flood of imports in the U.S. has deeply impacted our shrimping communities, and we’re proud to be in our second year providing education, transparency, and support for our coastal fishers. We have to save them. I don’t want a world where we don’t have a seafaring community providing local fresh shrimp.”

The Louisiana Shrimp Festival and Shrimp Aid’s unwavering commitment to authenticity not only boosts consumer confidence but also helps preserve Louisiana’s maritime heritage. Vendors at the festival worked directly with local shrimpers to keep their supply fresh and Gulf-sourced throughout the weekend, reinforcing the event’s theme: SOS — Save Our Shrimpers.

About the Louisiana Shrimp Festival and Shrimp Aid

A Celebration of Our Shrimpers and Their Coastal Communities

The Louisiana Shrimp Festival/Shrimp Aid aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by local shrimp and fishing industries while creating new economic opportunities for coastal communities and the broader seafood sector. Featuring award-winning musical artists, top New Orleans restaurants and pop-ups, and family-friendly programming, the festival embodies the spirit of Louisiana culture. The annual “Shrimp Aid” pavilion brings together shrimpers, chefs, and industry leaders for panels, discussions, and documentary screenings focused on sustaining local fisheries.

The Second Annual Louisiana Shrimp Festival took place October 18–19, 2025, at The Broadside in Mid-City New Orleans, with all proceeds directed toward efforts supporting shrimpers and building stronger seafood markets.

About SeaD Consulting

SeaD (Seafood Development) Consulting partners with seafood producers, researchers, agencies, and environmental organizations to advance transparency and innovation across the seafood sector. Through its RIGHTTest™ genetic verification platform, SeaD helps eliminate seafood mislabeling and substitution fraud while promoting sustainable, traceable sourcing practices.

For more information, visit www.seadconsulting.com or contact Glenda Beasley at gb@seadconsulting.com or 512.750.5199.

Disclaimer: SeaD’s testing and reporting is intended to be used as an investigatory tool to assist the restaurant industry’s fight against seafood mislabeling and is not intended for use in any legal proceedings, nor may SeaD’s data, testing, or reporting be used in any legal proceeding without the express written authorization of SeaD.

DNA testing of Gulf Coast restaurants’ shrimp reveals continued mislabeling

October 23, 2025 —  A follow-up investigation conducted by SeaD Consulting using its RIGHTTest™ (Rapid ID Genetic High-Accuracy Test) has revealed new insights into shrimp sourcing integrity at Gulf Coast restaurants.

The retesting, part of an ongoing regional study supported by the Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA), found both encouraging signs of progress and persistent misrepresentation in the labeling and sourcing of shrimp served to local diners.

SeaD Consulting was previously commissioned by the SSA in March this year to conduct genetic tests on shrimp dishes from 44 restaurants in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Foley.

Fifty percent of restaurants from SeaD’s March’s DNA testing were randomly selected for follow-up. Of the 22 restaurants retested this month, findings show that 10 out of 22 were serving imports (46%) compared to 19 out of 44 (43%) previously tested in March 2025.

In October last year, Alabama legislators enacted the Alabama Seafood Labeling Law, which requires establishments to disclose the country of origin and whether seafood is wild-caught or farm-raised. The Alabama Department of Public Health is tasked with enforcing this law.

Read the full article at Gulf Coast Media