Saving Seafood

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

Rep. Nancy Mace pushes amendment to ensure military buys only American-caught seafood

September 10, 2025 — Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace is wading into “Shrimpgate” waters.

On Tuesday, the three-term member of Congress introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which would require the Department of Defense to purchase only American-caught seafood.

“For too long, foreign competitors have undercut American workers, threatened our economy, and exploited loopholes in federal law,” Mace said. “If the Pentagon is buying seafood, it will come from American waters, caught by American hands, not from our adversaries.”

Read the full article at ABC 4

NORTH CAROLINA: North Carolina’s landmark study offers insight into fisheries management, days after ‘Shrimpgate’

July 2, 2025 — In a sweeping three-year study mandated by the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Collaboratory has released its long-anticipated findings on the state’s coastal and marine fisheries.

While the report was intended to be a neutral and science-driven evaluation of fish populations and habitats, it has also become a flashpoint in the debate over House Bill 442, a controversial legislative proposal that aimed to restrict shrimp trawling in state waters.

The study’s results, particularly concerning shrimp and southern flounder, offer new data on fishery health but stop short of endorsing any policy like the now-dormant HB 442.

Multiple comments by legislators in both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA), as well as statements circulating in the media, suggested the Senate was aware of the contents of this report and this advance knowledge drove actions to amend the legislation to include a shrimp trawling ban prior to the report’s release,” stated Collaboratory Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Warren in a letter attached to the study.

“These statements remain untrue and undermine the credibility of this multi-year research study carried out by nine researchers across four UNC System campuses.”

Read the full article at Island Free Press