Last week, SEAD Consulting released the results of genetic testing of restaurants in Gulf Shores, Alabama, finding that 43% of sampled restaurants (19 out of 44) serve imported, farm-raised shrimp while implying or claiming it is a local U.S. wild-caught shrimp. The testing, commissioned by the Southern Shrimp Alliance, adds to evidence that consumers are frequently misled into thinking they are eating a local, sustainable, premium shrimp from a well-regulated shrimp fishery when they are not.
Other key takeaways of the testing in Alabama and other states include:
- Even with a new labeling law, Gulf Shores consumers still need to ask questions about where restaurants source their shrimp. Restaurants supporting local shrimpers, including those not sampled, will be glad to demonstrate their commitment to premium, U.S. wild-caught shrimp—so don’t be afraid to ask to see the box it came in. Testing raises awareness of the problem that harms mom-and-pop American shrimping businesses, honest restaurants, and consumers who are deprived of a choice of what they purchase and consume.
- Labeling laws work, but could use better enforcement. The inauthenticity rate is lower in states, like Alabama, that have restaurant labeling laws, averaging 39% vs 78% in states that lack labeling requirements.
- The National Shrimp Festival needs to enforce its rules. USA Today named it the fifth-best specialty food festival in the country. It attracts 250,000 patrons to enjoy “fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico,” supporting Gulf Shores tourism. However, genetic testing last year demonstrated that 80% of the shrimp dishes (4 out of 5) were imported, farm-raised shrimp. To build public trust, the festival organizers should explain how they intend to verify vendors follow their clearly stated “domestic shrimp only” rule.
“The U.S. shrimp industry is facing a crisis. Many of our competitors farm-raise their shrimp using forced labor, banned antibiotics, and have received billions in international development funding,” said John Williams, executive director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance. “American fishermen harvest premium-quality shrimp that grow naturally in abundant quantities right here in our local waters. Consumers want it. They prefer it. But, they cannot find it easily due to false advertising.”
Support Restaurants Committed to Local Shrimp
The testing, which covers a representative random selection of area restaurants, informs seafood consumers of the need to ask questions about the source of their shrimp. It is not meant to be a comprehensive guide. While there are other area restaurants that use U.S. wild-caught shrimp, SSA celebrates these sampled Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Folly Beach restaurants that were found to be serving authentic Gulf wild-caught shrimp:
- Acme Oyster House, 216 E 24th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Baumhower’s Victory Grille, 2601 S McKenzie St Suite 308, Foley, AL 36535
- Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails, 1154 W Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Blalock Seafood & Specialty Market, 1911 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Bubba’s Seafood House, 24621 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
- Cotton’s Restaurant, 26009 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
- Coastal Orange Beach, 25722 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
- De Soto’s Seafood Kitchen, 138 W 1st Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Doc’s Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar, 26029 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
- Duck’s Diner, 4560 Easy St, Orange Beach, AL 36561
- Fish River Grill, 608 S McKenzie St, Foley, AL 36535
- Flying Harpoon, 112 Windmill Ridge Rd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Foley Fish Company, 321 S McKenzie St, Foley, AL 36530
- Fresh Seafood Market, 921 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Gelato Joe’s Italian Restaurant & Bar, 202 E Michigan Ave A, Foley, AL 36535
- Gulf Bowl & Captain’s Choice, 2881 S Juniper St, Foley, AL 36535
- Gulf Shores Seafood, 921 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- King Neptune’s Seafood Restaurant, 1137 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Lartigue’s Fresh & Steamed Seafood, 23043 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
- Local and Company Food + Drink, 812 N McKenzie St, Foley, AL 36535
- LuLu’s Gulf Shores, 200 E 25th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Moe’s Original BBQ, 20733 Miflin Rd, Foley, AL 36535
- Picnic Beach Bar & Grill, 128 E 1st Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Rouses Market, 1545 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- S & S Seafood Market, 1154 W Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Similarly, the 19 other restaurants sampled are likely not the only Gulf Shores’ food service establishments that are deceiving customers. The 19 restaurants found by SEAD Consulting to be misrepresenting their shrimp offerings will receive letters urging them to source domestic shrimp or correct their advertising, aligning with state labeling laws. Follow-up testing is expected. The genetic testing results are shared in a manner that discourages seafood consumers from avoiding any specific establishment and instead makes them aware of the need to ask questions about the source of their shrimp.