April 2, 2026 — Seafood sales volume continued to slow during the key Lenten season, according to new retail seafood and grocery purchasing data, with retailers now looking toward Easter.
Americans’ concerns over high gas prices and grocery inflation are reflected in lower retail volumes during Lent, Circana Senior Vice President and Perimeter Practice Leader Chris DuBois told SeafoodSource.
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.
March 16, 2026 — The smell of fried cod wafts into the parking lot of the German Family Society, just outside of Akron, Ohio. Just 15 minutes after doors opened, there are easily 200 butts in seats, and the line for fried cod, German potatoes, and coleslaw stretches to the door.
Fish fries happen this time of year because Christians who observe Lent eat fish on Fridays instead of meat. But for some of this crowd, religion has nothing to do with it.
“We love the fact that fish is available for that month or five weeks,” said David Matrone.
He and his wife, Kristy Rivera, aren’t religious. But they heard about this fish fry from a friend and decided to try it out.
”We just love the demeanor here. It’s just warm and very welcoming. So we came back. This is our second year,” she said.
The price they paid for dinner helps fund uniforms and travel for youth dance groups. So there are children wearing aprons, serving up food and cleaning tables.
April 15, 2025 — U.S. grocery stores inclined in March 2025 in part thanks to concerns over tariffs and the timing of Lent.
Frozen seafood sales increased 5.1 percent year over year to USD 738 million (EUR 650 million) in March, while sales by volume in the category grew 3 percent, according to new Circana data analyzed by Lakeland, Florida, U.S.A.-based 210 Analytics.
March 17, 2025 — Seafood sales plummeted in February at U.S. retail stores, mainly due to the Lent and Easter seasons starting later this year compared to 2024, according to new data from retail market research firms Circana and 210 Analytics.
Frozen seafood sales value realized the greatest shortfall by category in the month, decreasing 8.5 percent year over year to USD 663 million (EUR 610 million). Sales by volume in the category, meanwhile, declined 11.7 percent.
March 8, 2025 — Several U.S. restaurants are rolling out shrimp promotions for the Lenten season, which started 5 March and ends 17 April.
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A.-based Long John Silver’s is debuting a new Coconut Butterfly Shrimp and is offering several other shrimp specials for Lent.
March 13, 2024 — U.S. seafood inflation at retail continued to ease in February, and the start of the Lent season early in the month boosted sales of frozen and ambient seafood.
New U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index data showed fish and seafood prices dropped 3.9 percent year over year in February and 0.7 percent month over month.
February 14, 2024 — Coinciding with the start of Lent on 14 February, numerous U.S. restaurant chains are rolling limited-time offers featuring lobster, shrimp, and cod.
One of the biggest U.S. seafood restaurant chains, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.-based Red Lobster, is bringing back its popular Lobsterfest promotion and adding several new shrimp and lobster dishes to its menu, including Lobster Lover’s Dream featuring twin North American lobster tails and linguine with lobster sourced from Maine.
February 12, 2024 — U.S. retailers and restaurateurs are expecting high upcoming seafood sales as the 40-day Lenten season kicks off the same day as Valentine’s Day on 14 February.
“There is normally a bump for seafood on Valentine’s Day, but with Lent on top of that, it should be a banner week for seafood,” Jason Resner, the meat and seafood sales, merchandising, and procurement lead for Downers Grove, Illinois, U.S.A.-based retailer Fresh Thyme, told SeafoodSource.
February 14, 2023 — Convenience store chain 7-Eleven is bringing back its Alaska pollock fish sandwich it featured during the 2022 Lenten season.
Via a partnership with Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.-based Trident Seafooods is supplying the fish for the sandwiches, the company’s vice president of communications, Alexis Telfer, confirmed to SeafoodSource. The sandwich will feature garlic- and herb-flavored Alaska pollock fillet topped with American cheese and tartar sauce and served on a brioche bun.