The Southern Shrimp Alliance Board celebrates the teamwork that is enabling the U.S. shrimp industry to fight for its way of life against unfair trade, to combat the use of our culture to sell inferior imported shrimp, and efforts to halt the removal of access to traditional shrimping grounds. Check out the highlights:
Media Outreach Drives National Conversations
SSA’s strategic engagement with the Trump Administration and national media surrounding tariffs has generated unprecedented visibility for our industry. More than 1,100 digital and online articles across 680+ unique outlets have mentioned the Southern Shrimp Alliance in 2025, according to MuckRack, with the majority mentioning tariffs. This expansive reach includes major networks such as Fox News, CNN, CBS, MSNBC, NBC, and NewsNation, allowing shrimpers to educate consumers about how imports have replaced superior-tasting, well-regulated U.S. wild-caught shrimp and the actions that support mom-and-pop shrimping families. Building on the momentum, SSA has partnered with domestic honey, catfish, and crawfish producers facing similar trade challenges to create a stronger voice for enhancing American food security.
1 Every SSA Board member has participated in media interviews in 2025
Supporting NC Shrimpers Against Trawling Ban
When North Carolina proposed a ban on shrimp trawling within half a mile of the state shoreline, SSA supported the grassroots response led by the North Carolina Fisheries Association (NCFA), NC Watermen United, and NC CATCH. Our media outreach connected reporters with local shrimpers, state industry leaders, and events. The topic generated over 250 articles and videos in a single week. SSA’s letter to the NC House of Representatives leadership warned that the proposed ban would reduce American shrimp production while increasing reliance on less-regulated imported shrimp—directly contradicting President Trump’s objectives. The bill was successfully sent to the Rules Committee to die—but it could return. The attack highlights the importance of ensuring that policymakers and consumers understand how U.S. shrimpers produce some of the world’s most sustainable wild-caught shrimp.
SSA helped secure media coverage for state associations
SeaD Consulting Data Powers Education, New Laws
Genetic testing by SeaD Consulting, commissioned by SSA, has revealed a widespread problem in which restaurants misrepresent shrimp dishes as wild-caught or domestic when, in fact, the product is farm-raised or imported. The findings spurred state legislative efforts to enable consumer choice and protect honest restaurants and U.S. shrimpers from being undercut or displaced from the market. Currently, Florida and North Carolina are the only member states that have not proposed or passed such legislation, a stark difference from 2023. SSA is expanding this testing strategy to include additional markets and retest previous locations, allowing for continued consumer awareness of the need to ask for U.S. wild-caught shrimp and support for menu transparency.
Expanding Our Capacity
With 2025 proving exceptionally busy—from Trump Administration engagement to restaurant testing to fisheries management—SSA is operating with all hands on deck! Yet, there is more work to be done, so SSA is starting the search for a Deputy Director of the organization. This new position will enable us to fulfill our mission to ensure the continued vitality and existence of the U.S. shrimp industry, adding manpower to fight for fair trade, transparent marketing, and access to traditional fishing grounds.