Across the Gulf, shrimp is the lifeblood of coastal communities. However, new genetic testing reveals that what’s being served often doesn’t match what’s being promised.
While one major Gulf coast city has been caught in widespread misrepresentation, Alabama’s National Shrimp Festival is taking a stand to ensure every plate lives up to its name.
Mislabeling in Fort Lauderdale
In the heart of South Florida, known for its 300 miles of canals and reputation as the “Venice of the U.S.,” diners might assume they’re getting fresh, local catch. But recent genetic testing conducted by SeaD Consulting paints a starkly different picture. Of 44 Fort Lauderdale-area restaurants tested, only five, 11 percent, were confirmed to be serving genuine wild-caught domestic shrimp. The remaining 39, 89 percent were not, with 26 of those restaurants or 67 percent explicitly marketing imported shrimp as “local” or “domestic on menus or through staff.
SeaD used its RIGHTTest to analyze shrimp dishes across a representative sample of area restaurants. The findings highlight a serious problem for both consumers and the domestic shrimp industry. Imported shrimp, often farmed under unregulated environmental and labor conditions, is being sold at premium prices under the guise of Gulf seafood.
The Southern Shrimp Alliance deputy director, Blake Price, stated, “This type of misrepresentation can happen anywhere in the supply chain, and it needs to be addressed immediately. Labeling laws ensure consumers can make informed decisions and support American shrimpers that produce a premium product under stringent U.S. standards.”
Florida currently has no seafood mislabeling laws in place, which researchers believe is contributing to the state’s high rates of seafood mislabeling. Louisiana, which does have mislabeling legislation, has so far shown the lowest rates in the ongoing eight-state study funded by the South Shrimp Alliance. Florida lawmakers are now considering policy approaches like Mississippi’s recently passed 2025 law requiring clear country of origin labeling in restaurants.
Alabama sets a new standard at the shrimp festival
While Florida works to catch up on transparency, Alabama’s seafood community is leading by example. This year, the Organized Seafood Association of Alabama (OSAA) is sponsoring onsite genetic testing at the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores to guarantee authenticity. Powered by SeaD’s RIGHTTeast technology, the testing provides same-day results to confirm that vendors are serving wild-caught, locally harvested shrimp in compliance with state labeling laws.
“Without this kind of support, our shrimping industry is dying before our eyes,” said Ernie Anderson, president of OSAA. “We are losing generational infrastructure, families that have kept this industry alive for nearly a century. Just this fall, the Bryant family’s processing company in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, is closing after almost 100 years in business. If we don’t hold the line, there won’t be any commercial fishermen left to celebrate.”
Bayou La Batre Mayor Barnes emphasizes the responsibility across the entire supply chain, “It’s important for everyone — distributors, processors, restaurants, and festivals — to ensure they are serving the wild-caught local shrimp they claim to offer. Our community depends on it. When a festival like this leads with authenticity, it sets a standard for everyone else to follow.”
The OSAA’s efforts aim to make Alabama’s iconic festival a model for seafood celebrations nationwide. By setting clear expectations and backing them up with science, organizers are protecting both consumers and the livelihoods of Gulf shrimpers.
A tale of two coasts
As testing continues across the Gulf, the contrast between Fort Lauderdale’s misrepresentation and Alabama’s proactive enforcement shows the need for stronger labeling laws and community accountability. For consumers, the message is clear: ask where your shrimp comes from. For commercial shrimpers, these efforts are a step toward leveling the playing field.
