Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) held a press conference on the reintroduction of the Protect American Fisheries Act of 2025 to expand NOAA’s Fishery Resource Disaster Assistance Program to include economic causes. America’s shrimp industry faces a serious crisis: illegally produced and unfairly traded foreign shrimp imports have flooded the U.S. market, driving down dockside prices and forcing domestic shrimp operations to close.
“When we lose our fishing industries to unethically produced supply chains, we lose our food security. Representative Mace understands that supporting American fishermen in a crisis means protecting America’s ability to feed itself,” stated John Williams, executive director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance. “We’re grateful she’s fighting for our food independence and the hardworking families that support coastal economies by sustainably harvesting wild-caught shrimp.”
The Crisis Facing U.S. Shrimpers
The Southern Shrimp Alliance advocated for the legislation after NOAA denied disaster declarations requested by Alabama and Louisiana in 2023. Currently, NOAA holds that only natural disasters or resource determinations qualify fisheries for assistance—not economic devastation from unfair trade practices.
The numbers tell a stark story that emphasizes the crisis:
- The domestic shrimp industry has lost over half its value since 2021
- Total U.S. shrimping licenses in 2024 dropped to less than one-third of 2000 levels
- 2024 commercial shrimp landings fell 25% below the volume harvested in 2023
- America harvested the lowest amount of shrimp since 1961
“The impacts of a hurricane, fish stock collapse, or the economic impacts of unethical imports are the same – shrimpers can’t go fishing,” stated Blake Price, deputy director of SSA. “America is rapidly losing its ability to produce its most consumed seafood. We really need this bill at this crucial time and appreciate having the opportunity to work with the Congresswoman and her staff on it.”
Additional Resources:
Governor Ivey’s request letter: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2023-11/Ivey-AL-Shrimp-Req.pdf
Governor Edwards request letter: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2023-11/Edwards-LA-Shrimp-Req.pdf
NOAA Response to Governor Edwards: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2023-11/DOC-Response-LA-Shrimp.pdf
NOAA Response to Governor Ivey: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2023-11/DOC-Response-AL-Shrimp.pdf