Saving Seafood

News for the Gulf of Mexico Region

These striped fish are gaining ground in Alabama waters. Here’s why we should worry.

May 4, 2026 — Lionfish are undoubtedly beautiful, with red, white, and brown stripes and long decorative fins. They have been a staple in aquariums for decades.

Although they are increasingly ubiquitous in the Gulf of Mexico, lionfish are not native to the area, and are a threat to the local aquatic species treasured by residents.

“They are pretty,” said P.J. Waters, a professor with the Auburn University Cooperative Extension System. “Someone put one in an aquarium because it’s pretty. But they don’t belong here.”

 

Gulf states push for offshore parity with 9-mile boundary bill

May 1, 2026 — A new bipartisan bill in Congress aims to level the playing field for the Gulf Coast states by expanding offshore boundaries for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Introduced by Rep. Troy Carter Sr., D-La., alongside Reps. Mike Ezell, R-Miss., Clay Higgins, R-La., and Shomari Figures, D-La., the Offshore Parity Act would extend state waters from three nautical miles out to nine– matching the boundaries long held by Texas and Florida.

Under current law, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have jurisdiction over just three nautical miles offshore, a limitation dating back to the Submerged Lands Act of 1953. Texas and Florida were granted broader authority, a disparity that Louisiana unsuccessfully challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1969 case United States v. Louisiana.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama could gain more control over their coastal waters under new bill

April 29, 2026 — A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation that would extend offshore boundaries for Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama to match those of Texas and Florida.

Rep. Troy Carter Sr. (D-LA) introduced the Offshore Parity Act alongside Reps. Mike Ezell (R-MS), Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Shomari Figures (D-LA).

According to the lawmakers, the current law gives Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama jurisdiction over just three nautical miles offshore. Texas and Florida have nine nautical miles, and the new bill would bring all three Gulf states up to that same limit.

Read the full article at WBRZ

LOUISIANA: One of more than 60 seafood samples tests positive for oil in Gulf

April 23, 2026 — More than 60 samplings of Gulf aquatic life have been tested for oil, and samples have come back negative.

Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, known as LOOP, learned Feb. 26 of a leak from one of its offshore facilities about 18 miles out from Port Fourchon. About 750 barrels of heavy crude oil were spilled into the Gulf, according to news releases from the company.

The U.S. Coast Guard reported in a March 17 news release that roughly 95 barrels of the oil remained uncollected in the Gulf of Mexico, which was renamed the Gulf of America by the U.S. Government.

Samples were taken from blue crabs, oysters, Spanish mackerel, black drums, spotted sea trout, red drum, as well as brown and white shrimp. They were taken between March 19 and April 1.

Read the full article at Daily Comet

MISSISSIPPI: ReTesting in Biloxi Shows Significant Improvement for Shrimp Authenticity on the Menu, But More Work is Needed

April 23, 2026 — The following was released by SeaD Consulting:

A new round of genetic testing conducted in April 2026 using the RIGHTTest™ reveals meaningful progress in the fight against restaurant menu mislabeling along the Mississippi Gulf Coast—but also confirms that deceptive practices continue to undermine consumer trust and harm American shrimpers.

This follow-up investigation builds on SeaD Consulting’s landmark December 2024 report, which exposed widespread shrimp mislabeling in Biloxi and surrounding coastal communities. At that time, 82% of restaurants tested were potentially misleading customers, often substituting imported shrimp while marketing dishes as local Gulf shrimp. Last year, 44 randomly selected seafood restaurants were sampled and tested. This year, half of the previously tested restaurants (22) were randomly selected to get a snapshot of mislabeling status since the initial study.

Significant Improvement Since 2024

The latest findings show that increased awareness, public pressure, and assistance from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR), along with SeaD’s continued testing, are driving change:

  • 64% of restaurants (14 of 22) are now serving American Wild-Caught (AWC) shrimp (up from 18% in 2024)

  • 9 of 14 were consistently serving authentic shrimp across both testing periods

  • 5 of 14 corrected previous mislabeling practices and are now serving AWC shrimp

“This data shows that transparency efforts are making an impact,” said Erin Williams, COO and Founder of SeaD Consulting. “More restaurants are doing the right thing—but there is still work to be done.”

Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources Joe Spraggins said:

“We are pleased to see the marked improvement in the number of restaurants in the area that are providing correct and honest labeling. We have been working with Mississippi legislators to introduce regulations and new legislation (HB 1466) was signed by Governor Reeves to give restaurants and businesses multiple ways to comply. We will implement the new legislation starting July 1, 2026.”

Inauthenticity Still Exists in About 1 in 4 Restaurants

Despite progress, seafood mislabeling remains a serious issue:

  • 36% of restaurants (8 of 22) were found to be serving imported/farm-raised shrimp

Of those:

  • 63% (5 of 8) misled customers by indicating the shrimp were local or wild-caught, either by menu labeling or staff assurances

  • 37% (3 of 8) were transparent about serving imported/farm-raised products

Notably:

  • Three restaurants misrepresented shrimp in both testing periods

  • Some establishments showed inconsistent practices between the two rounds. Of the 8 restaurants serving imported/farm-raised shrimp, 3 accurately disclosed it at some point—though only 1 did so consistently across both testing periods—while 5 misrepresented their shrimp as American wild-caught. Some restaurants that initially disclosed correctly failed to do so upon retesting, highlighting inconsistency in labeling practices.

  • In the testing area, Royal Red shrimp were also found to be falsely marketed, substituting imported Argentine shrimp while assuring customers it was local

High-Value Shrimp Still Vulnerable to Mislabeling Deception

While overall inauthenticity rates have declined, premium products remain at risk. The 2024 investigation found that 92% of Royal Red shrimp dishes were mislabeled, and the 2026 follow-up confirms that substitution of imported alternatives is still occurring in this high-value category.

SeaD Consulting utilized the RIGHTTest™ to determine whether samples obtained were Royal Reds or Argentine Red Shrimp. In this market, research revealed that 2/3 of the restaurant dishes described as Royal Red shrimp were incorrectly labeled.

Economic and Industry Impact

Seafood mislabeling continues to threaten the livelihoods of Gulf Coast shrimpers while misleading consumers who are often paying premium prices for what they believe is local catch.

“Consumer sales that legitimately belong to U.S. shrimpers and their communities are ending up overseas. That’s not right. If a restaurant says it is Gulf shrimp, it should never be farm-raised shrimp from halfway around the world,” said Leann Bosarge, Southern Shrimp Alliance Board Member and Head of New Business Development at Bosarge Boats in Pascagoula, MS.

“U.S. wild-caught shrimp are higher quality, better regulated, and simply taste better due to their natural diet and movement, so we hope labeling laws will be strongly enforced.”

Restaurants Leading the Way

Nine restaurants were confirmed to be serving authentic American wild-caught shrimp in both testing periods:

  1. Anthony’s Under the Oaks – 1217 Washington Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

  2. Bayview Café and Bar at IP – 850 Bayview Ave, Biloxi, MS 39530

  3. Catch 110 – 110 Lameuse St, Biloxi, MS 39530

  4. Da Best Wings – 157 Hardy Court Shopping Ctr Rd, Gulfport, MS 39507

  5. Parrain’s Cajun Cooking / Parrain’s Jambalaya Kitchen – 179 Reynoir St, Biloxi, MS 39530

  6. Patio 44 – 124 Main St, Biloxi, MS 39530

  7. Phoenicia Gourmet Restaurant – 1108 Bienville Blvd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

  8. Port City Café – 2561 Pass Rd Unit A, Biloxi, MS 39531

  9. Rouses #88 – 2384 Pass Rd, Biloxi, MS 39531

Additionally, these five restaurants were found to be serving authentic American wild-caught shrimp in the retest:

  1. Bacchus on the Bayou – 705 Bienville Blvd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

  2. Buzzy’s Breakfast Downtown – 1019 Desoto St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

  3. Quality Poultry and Seafood – 895 Division St, Biloxi, MS 39533

  4. Shrimp Basket – 9265 US 49, Gulfport, MS 39503

  5. Under the Oak Café – 9380 Central Ave, D’Iberville, MS 39540

Shrimp Basket made a commitment to feature tail-on shrimp caught in Gulf waters in May 2025 after learning about SeaD Consulting’s reports, coupled with consumer demand for authentic wild-caught product.

“We want to deliver seafood that reflects the flavor and heritage of the Gulf Coast, which is what our customers expect from us. If we say it’s Gulf shrimp, you can bet we’re serving it,” said Brand President of Shrimp Basket Jeff Brooks.

Customers at Shrimp Basket have a choice of eating imported/farm-raised shrimp or the more premium-priced wild-caught option if preferred.

“People deserve to know what they’re eating and should receive what they’re paying for,” says Brooks. “We’re committed to truth in menu labeling.”

What Consumers Can Do

  • Ask questions about where shrimp is sourced

  • Request proof when seafood is marketed as local

  • Support restaurants that demonstrate transparency

  • Advocate for enforcement of seafood labeling laws

The Path Forward

While the improvement from 18% honest restaurants in 2024 to 64% serving authentic shrimp in 2026 marks significant progress, the persistence of deception underscores the need for stronger enforcement and continued oversight.

“Consumers deserve honesty, and Gulf Coast shrimpers deserve a fair marketplace,” said Williams. “We’ve made progress—but until mislabeling on menus is eliminated, the work isn’t done.”

About Southern Shrimp Alliance

The Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) is an organization of shrimp fishermen, shrimp processors, and other members of the domestic industry in the eight warmwater shrimp-producing states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.

SSA has funded SeaD Consulting’s genetic testing at restaurants throughout their region. The list of restaurants found to be serving American wild-caught shrimp in the samples taken by market can be seen here.

About SeaD Consulting

SeaD (Seafood Development) Consulting works with diverse stakeholders—seafood producers, academia, governmental agencies, and environmental organizations—to foster innovation and sustainability throughout the sector, bridging commercial fishery science with testing and processing technologies to combat seafood mislabeling and substitution. They currently hold the patent, in partnership with Florida State University, for the portable rapid ID high-accuracy genetic test RIGHTTest™, being used in a multi-state study to determine shrimp species being served at seafood restaurants. For more information about the investigation and how you can support ethical seafood sourcing, please visit www.seadconsulting.com

USM scientist left his mark on Gulf, knew enough to learn from fishermen

April 2o, 2026 — A boy from the mountains of Tennessee, inspired by a great American novella, became one of the best-known fisheries scientists on the Gulf of Mexico.

James S. “Jim” Franks of Ocean Springs was smart enough to know that he could learn from folks in South Mississippi who plied Gulf waters daily, said his close friend Reed Hendon. Franks became a mentor to Hendon at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, where both worked for decades.

“He was probably the most dedicated and driven scientist that I ever met,” said Hendon, former GCLR director. “Science and fisheries and his job, that was his life.”

Franks retired as a senior fisheries scientist in 2024 from the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs. Although he never smoked, Franks died of pulmonary fibrosis on Wednesday at age 83.

“For many, Jim’s name is synonymous with GCRL,” Kelly Darnell, the lab’s director, said in one of many statements widely shared after Franks’ death. “He first came to the lab as a student in the summer of 1963 and went on to become the lab’s longest-serving employee . . .

Read the full article at the Sun Herald

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.

Greens see chance to protect species in ‘God Squad’ fight

April 14, 2026 — The Trump administration’s move to exempt oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico from endangered species considerations could hand environmentalists a public engagement opportunity, although one they would prefer not to have.

The use of the so-called God Squad last month to grant a more than 600,000-square-mile exemption for the oil industry puts the spotlight on the kind of charismatic species — whales and sea turtles — that not only conservationists but the general public hold dear. In particular, it highlights the plight of the Rice’s whale, which has only a few dozen of its kind left.

“This action by the Trump administration may prove to be a galvanizing moment for a whole new generation of advocates and voters who support the Endangered Species Act and the wildlife and ecosystems it protects,” said Ben Greuel, national wildlife campaign manager at the Sierra Club.

Read the full article at E&E News

The fight for control of an iconic Florida fish scales up

April 13, 2026 — In the ruby red state of Florida, another crimson symbol often swims through Gov. Ron DeSantis’ remarks: red snapper.

The scarlet bottom-feeder is a prize among anglers, a coveted dish for residents and a goal for tourists hoping to experience a day of Sunshine State recreation. It’s also become part of the state’s cultural heritage, one DeSantis frequently revisits during press conferences around Florida.

But the yearslong battle over how to manage red snapper fisheries is spreading across the state, and has left some commercial fishers and environmental groups worried for the future of the beloved fish.

Florida has applied to take temporary control of the recreational red snapper fishery along the state’s Atlantic Coast through an exempted fishing permit, or EFP. If approved, the state would clinch another victory in its push to expand control of red snapper fisheries and expand access for recreational anglers.

“We know that we can do this effectively, and we know that this is something that could make a big difference for our recreational anglers, particularly in Northeast Florida,” DeSantis said during a November press conference announcing the state’s proposal.

Read the full article at Politico

Mississippi judge rules private oyster lease scheme is unconstitutional

April 8, 2026 — A Mississippi court has struck down a private lease scheme invented by the state legislature for future oyster harvesting, deeming the program unconstitutional.

“In sum, and as discussed hereafter, the court finds that the On-Bottom Lease Laws effectively deny the plaintiffs and the public the right to harvest oysters guaranteed to them by [the Mississippi state constitution] and further that the obligations placed on the lessees by the On-Bottom Lease Laws do not promote oyster conservation and management for future generations of the public,” Chancery Court Judge Jim Persons said in a 23 March ruling.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource