Category Archives: Gulf of Mexico
U.S. food producers celebrate tariffs, urge more for imported seafood, honey
Many U.S. farmers seem prepared to endure short-term trade challenges for the prospect of long-term benefits, particularly in dealings with China. Perhaps none are more prepared for that trade than shrimpers. On Monday, a coalition representing four major American food industries relayed that confidence, urging President Donald Trump to impose targeted tariffs on imported honey, catfish, crawfish and shrimp. They warn that continued inaction on unfair trade could devastate domestic producers and threaten imported. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10″55
Mexican fishermen indicted for illegal red snapper harvesting in U.S. waters
A Brownsville grand jury has indicted a crew of four men from Matamoros, Mexico, for unlawfully transporting fish taken from the Gulf of America, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Previously arrested upon the filing of a criminal complaint, Miguel Angel Ramirez-Vidal, 32, Jesus David Luna-Marquez, 20, Jesus Roberto Morales-Amador, 27, and Jose Daniel Santiago-Mendoza, 22, are expected appear for their arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Betancourt May 22 at 1:45 p.m. On April 17, the crew of four allegedly attempted to transport and export roughly 315 kilograms of red snapper illegally taken from U.S. waters. The charges allege they intended to sell the fish in Mexico. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:32
Devastating and heartbreaking’ — Mobile Bay mud dumping threatens livelihood of shrimpers, oyster industry
Mud dumping in Mobile Bay is impacting fishermen and their quality of life, according to the Alabama Commercial Fishermen Association. The dumping is from the Port of Mobile deepening and widening project to allow larger ships into the channel. Alabama Commercial Fishermen Association secretary Alabama Commercial Fishermen Association said the dumping is impacting the shrimping and oyster business. She said shrimpers cannot drag the bottom in the areas of Mobile Bay where the mud is being discharged. “This is experimental, open disbursement that they’re doing in the Bay,” she continued. “It’s never been done before anywhere. This much material has never been released anywhere, and it’s really scary for us in the fishing industry.” Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:09
Investigating Shrimp Fraud Is an Urgent Matter on the Gulf Coast
Imagine sitting down for a meal at a restaurant with a view of the ocean. You are on vacation, and the restaurant’s décor includes fishnets, pictures of boats and taxidermied exemplars of the local catch. You order a plate of shrimp, reasonably expecting it to have come from nearby waters. Way too often it comes from thousands of miles away, Dave Williams told a small crowd at the Louisiana Shrimp Festival on a summer-hot day in New Orleans last fall. “And that’s despicable,” he said. Mr. Williams is a commercial fisheries scientist who was in New Orleans to shed light on what he considers an epidemic problem: restaurants and festivals misrepresenting imported shrimp as locally caught. In many cases, diners are paying for what they think is more expensive, high-quality wild Gulf shrimp, but is actually an inferior product produced by an aquaculture industry that has a history of labor abuse. A 2020 study by Louisiana State University found two thirds of imported shrimp samples purchased in Baton Rouge contained banned veterinary drugs. Photos,Links, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:50
National Shrimp Day is this Saturday: How to support local families keeping our coastal heritage alive
Shrimping isn’t just an industry in Louisiana’s Bayou Country—it’s a tradition passed down through generations. This National Shrimp Day, Explore Houma invites you to honor our rich coastal heritage by getting to know the people and places keeping it alive: local shrimpers like Faith Family Shrimp and the unforgettable experience of Down the Bayou Shrimp Tours. Faith Family Shrimp, located in Chauvin, Louisiana, offers a unique glimpse into the world of shrimp fishing and processing. Owned by Chad and Angela Portier, this family-operated business at 8167 Redfish Street showcases the journey of Louisiana wild-caught shrimp from their commercial fishing vessels to the consumer’s table. They emphasize the finest quality of shrimp, underscoring their commitment to the local seafood industry. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:56
Shrimp demand is growing, and tariffs could help local industry
Americans are buying more shrimp these days, and U.S. tariffs could help the local industry, experts say. “Americans love shrimp, and shrimp is taking an increasing share of U.S. seafood consumption,” said University of Florida professor Andrew Ropicki, who specializes in marine resource economics. Ropicki was part of a group that met this week in Mayport to take stock of issues in the industry. The meeting was led by the Northeast Florida Regional Council. Cassidy Taylor of NEFRC explained that the group has a grant to conduct a shrimping industry market study and has been holding public meetings for the past seven months to get input. Fourth-generation shrimper David Cook from Fernandina Beach liked the idea of a cooperative, but his main concern was infrastructure for the industry. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:35
US House Dems say NOAA cuts will harm weather forecasting, fisheries, Navy operations
The agency’s climate and oceanic research supports the U.S. Navy’s operations and even the commercial fishing industry – described during the forum as having “a love-hate relationship” with the agency – depends on NOAA to open and close fisheries, the lawmakers and experts said. The group of Democrats, who met without involvement of the committee’s Republican majority, said the cuts would hurt a wide range of Americans who depend on the agency’s data collection and rulemaking. Magaziner was the one who called the commercial fishing industry’s connection with NOAA “a love-hate relationship,” but he and witnesses noted that the agency oversees the most basic functions the industry needs to operate. Sarah Schumann, a fisherman with operations in Rhode Island and Alaska, criticized President Joe Biden’s administration for allying too strongly with offshore wind developers, but said the new administration’s actions were also detrimental to the industry. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:24
Why Isn’t Big Fishing Putting America First?
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump proclaimed his love for America’s fishermen and coastal communities. He’s right to do so considering that the rank-and-file fishermen are part of our new Republican coalition of blue-collar workers that contribute enormously to our economy. While the president continues to do his part to deliver for them, most recently through an Executive Order, it’s growing clearer that the love isn’t reciprocated. So, it’s fair to ask: why isn’t commercial fishing doing their part to put America First? For decades, the elites have pushed policies that favor massive industrial fishing operations, many of which use foreign vessels and foreign labor. Meanwhile, hardworking American fishermen are pushed out of business by overregulation and unfair competition. It’s the same playbook they used with manufacturing – ship the jobs abroad, let foreigners overexploit our resources, and leave Americans holding the empty nets. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:15
The Louisiana Menhaden Industry: An Economic Engine for Coastal Communities
For more than a century, Louisiana’s commercial menhaden fishery has been a pillar of the state’s coastal economy, providing stable jobs, sustaining businesses, and fueling essential industries worldwide. From the Gulf waters to global markets, menhaden fishing supports communities and industries that rely on its valuable marine ingredients – fish meal and fish oil – for aquaculture, pet food, and human nutrition. Leading the industry, Omega Protein and its fishing partner Ocean Harvesters, along with Daybrook Fisheries and its fishing partner Westbank Fishing, operate one of the largest and most productive fisheries in America. Their work transforms Gulf menhaden into high-value products that drive innovation and sustainability across multiple industries. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:21
States sue Trump administration for blocking the development of wind energy
A coalition of state attorneys general filed a lawsuit Monday against President Donald Trump’s attempt to stop the development of wind energy. Attorneys general from 17 states and Washington, D.C., are challenging an executive order Trump signed during his first day in office, pausing approvals, permits and loans for all wind energy projects both onshore and offshore. They say Trump doesn’t have the authority to unilaterally shut down the permitting process, and he’s jeopardizing development of a power source critical to the states’ economic vitality, energy mix, public health and climate goals. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said Democratic attorneys general are “using lawfare to stop the president’s popular energy agenda,” instead of working with him to unleash American energy and lower prices for families. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 16:48
Anchored in advocacy: Blaine Braddock champions menhaden industry while balancing family, career and community
Blaine Braddock fulfills several roles on a daily basis. The Belle Chase resident and professional financial advisor at Nielsen Investments is also a mother to two young girls and the wife of James Braddock, a captain on one of the dozens of menhaden fishing vessels that work in the Gulf for months at a time each year. After a decade-long career in Nuclear Medicine, Blaine joined her father at Nielsen Investments in 2022. She focuses her business on faith-based investing and has a reputation as a trusted financial advisor in her community. Community involvement has always been a priority, which is why you will find her serving on many local boards and panels within Plaquemines Parish. Inspired by the dedication of her own husband as well as other captains, Braddock is also a vocal advocate for the menhaden industry in Louisiana. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:57
Jazz Fest bucks national trend by serving real gulf shrimp, new testing shows
Amid growing concerns nationwide over seafood fraud, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has emerged as a rare bright spot in the murky world of shrimp sourcing. A new round of genetic testing found that nearly every shrimp dish sold at this year’s Jazz Fest was made with genuine U.S. wild-caught shrimp from the Gulf — a striking contrast to most restaurants across the South. The study, conducted by SeaD Consulting using its RIGHTTest genetic analysis tool, examined 19 shrimp-based dishes from vendors at the 2025 festival. Of those, 18 were verified to contain authentic Gulf shrimp. Only one dish, from a vendor whose other offerings passed the test, was found to use imported shrimp. The test was funded by the Southern Shrimp Alliance, a national advocacy group for domestic shrimpers. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:14
Coast fishermen relieved after USACE deems Bonnet Carré Spillway opening unnecessary
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the Mississippi River has to rise to 1.25 million cubic feet per second for the Bonnet Carré Spillway to open. However, the river is cresting sooner than expected, decreasing the need for flood control action. That’s welcome news for Roscoe Liebig, a fisherman at the Pass Christian Harbor. Liebig explains he doesn’t want to relive the 2019 and 2020 openings. A closed spillway will give him more plentiful oysters and lots of business for the remainder of the oyster season. Shrimper Michael Sevel is also happy to hear that the spillway isn’t opening. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:39
President Trump Cutting Red Tape to Strengthen Louisiana’s Seafood Industry
Louisiana’s commercial fishing families have long been the backbone of the state’s working coast. From shrimp docks in Terrebonne to oyster reefs in Plaquemines, Louisiana’s fishermen are vital to the state’s economy and the nation’s seafood supply. Now, a national push to reduce unnecessary regulations in the fishing industry offers a turning point for Louisiana’s shrimpers and other local fleets burdened by outdated, one-size-fits-all rules. This initiative could revitalize the industry by aligning federal policies with the realities of modern seafood production. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:09
Shrimp labeling bill could be a lifesaver for Gulf industry
If you are what you eat, you might want to put down that shrimp po’boy. That’s unless, of course, you know you’re eating Gulf shrimp. State Rep. Terri Leo Wilson partnered with six other Gulf Coast representatives on House Bill 2343, which would keep restaurants from selling imported farm-raised shrimp and implying it was caught by Texas shrimpers. The timing is crucial. The Texas shrimp industry is struggling under pressure of inferior, cheap foreign shrimp flooding the market, she said. Leo Wilson and others testifying in support of the bill Wednesday said Texas should follow the lead of Louisiana, Alabama and other Gulf Coast states that have put shrimp labeling requirements into law. Such laws have bolstered their respective shrimp industries, they said. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:30
Can the Texas Shrimp Diva Save a Dying Industry?
Decked out in her pink accessories, Galveston’s Nikki Johnson-Kunz isn’t afraid of stingrays, wild weather, or the physically grueling work that she does side by side with her 92-year-old father-in-law. But she does worry about the future of shrimping in Texas. Since 2018, Nikki, who is 56 years old, has been building a platform as the Texas Shrimp Diva, trying to raise awareness about a Gulf Coast industry, and a way of life, that’s in rapid decline. She grew up in Virginia and lived in El Paso and Houston before settling in League City, halfway between Houston and the coast. She spent most of her career in property management and was never exposed to shrimping until she met and married Jason twenty years ago. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:16
Shrimpers hope tariffs bring rescue
While American consumers and businesses fret over President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, one struggling group is cheering him on: Gulf coast shrimpers. These shrimpers have been hit hard in recent years by a wave of cheap imported shrimp flooding the US market and dominating restaurant menus. Prices have plummeted, profits have thinned to a razor’s edge, and many local operators are fighting to stay afloat. Tariffs, they hope, might level the playing field. “It’s been tough the last several years that we’ve tried to fight through this,” said Reed Bowers, owner of Bowers Shrimp Farm in Palacios, Texas. Tough times have forced difficult decisions – “cutting people off, laying people off, or reducing hours or wages … whatever we can do to survive,” Bowers said. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 16:37
Louisiana’s Troy Carter and Clay Higgins want to let the FDA destroy more imported seafood
Though they barely agree on anything politically, Democratic Rep. Troy Carter, of New Orleans, and Republican Rep. Clay Higgins, of Lafayette, came together in an attempt to heighten the regulatory wall protecting Louisiana’s seafood industry from foreign imports. They introduced legislation Wednesday that gives the federal Food & Drug Administration additional powers to impound and destroy imported seafood found contaminated, adulterated or misbranded. “This bill protects consumers from potential health risks and upholds the integrity of our food supply chain, while supporting Louisiana fishermen and seafood processors,” Carter said. “By granting the FDA the necessary authority to destroy food products that fail to meet our strict health and safety standards, we are closing a dangerous loophole that has allowed contaminated seafood to enter our markets.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:45
Human Condition: The waterside village that withstood it all … until Katrina
Not too very long ago, before the storm of a lifetime, there was a quaint section of town just beyond the levee, curiously known as Bucktown. It was a unique village within a city, the kind of neighborhood so characteristic of New Orleans. It was a veritable gumbo of vibrant people and places. Shrimp boats and oyster luggers lined the canal. The docks were strewn with all manner of fishing gear — trawl nets and otter boards, crab traps, wooden crates and hampers, ropes and cables, all the fixtures of a fishing village. Ramshackle shanties built on stilts and clapboard houses with tin roofs fronted the thoroughfare. To one degree or another, these buildings had weathered all previous tropical storms and hurricanes. Like the timeliness of the people living and working there despite adversity, they were still standing, at least until Katrina. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:33
Louisiana’s Menhaden Industry Celebrates the Beginning of the 2025 Fishing Season with Blessing of the Fleet
As Louisiana’s menhaden fishing industry prepares for the 2025 season, beginning Monday, April 21, fishermen, their families, and local communities are gathering for the annual Blessing of the Fleet. This year’s event, being held on Easter Sunday, blends faith, family, and a deep connection to the sea as generations of fishing families come together to honor their way of life and seek protection for the season ahead. For decades, the Blessing of the Fleet has been a solemn moment of unity, with industry workers and their families, local leaders and clergy coming together to pray for a safe and successful fishing season. From Plaquemines to Vermilion, menhaden steamers will be adorned with flags and fresh paint, as captains and crews bow their heads in prayer – continuing a tradition that has safeguarded fishermen for over a century. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:56
Trump administration moves to de-regulate Gulf of Maine fisheries, leading to controversy
The Trump administration is currently making plans to deregulate fisheries across the nation, leading to mixed reactions in the pine tree state. The President believes deregulation will boost production of lobster and seafood in the Gulf of Maine, adding that only 20% of the seafood we eat comes from US fisheries. This decision was also spurred on by Maine Representative Jared Golden, who wrote a letter to Trump regarding the issue. “Without your intervention, projections indicate that many commercial fishing operations in New England will become economically unviable within the next 30 years,” Golden said. “This would lead to the collapse of a historic food production industry, the loss of thousands of jobs, the devastation of coastal communities (and) an increased reliance on foreign food.” Jerry Leeman of the New England Fisherman’s Stewardship Association says Maine fishermen like the idea but want to be involved in the process. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 16:02
Southern Shrimp Alliance urging Congress to pass legislation that would lead to the destruction contaminated imported food
Louisiana Congressmen Clay Higgins and Troy Carter have filed legislation to give the FDA the authority to destroy contaminated food imports, like seafood, eliminating the option to re-export rejected goods. Deborah Long with the Southern Shrimp Alliance says the bill closes a loophole that allows importers to “port shop” rejected products back into the U.S. “Because we only test 0.1-percent of our shrimp and seafood for banned antibiotics, that means there’s a good chance that product can move just down to a different port and reenter our country.” Many shipments contaminated with banned drugs or pathogens are simply returned to exporters. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 14:27
Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Restores American Seafood Competitiveness
STRENGTHENING THE U.S. FISHING INDUSTRY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to restore American seafood competitiveness. The Order strengthens the U.S. fishing industry by reducing regulatory burdens, combating unfair foreign trade practices, and enhancing domestic seafood production and exports. It directs the Secretary of Commerce to immediately consider suspending, revising, or rescinding regulations that overly burden America’s commercial fishing, aquaculture, and fish processing industries. It directs the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to: Incorporate better, cheaper, more reliable technologies and cooperative research programs into fishery assessments. Expand exempted fishing permit programs to promote fishing opportunities nationwide. Modernize data collection and analytical practices to improve the responsiveness of fisheries management to real-time ocean conditions. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 17:59
“A MAN IS ONLY AS GOOD AS HIS WORD” By Jim Lovgren
When Donald Trump ran for election in 2024, to recapture the Presidency that he lost in the 2020 elections, many people voted for him because he promised to stop offshore wind projects on day one. We are still waiting. Granted, he promised to also end the Ukraine war on day one, but people are still dying there every day. Politicians say many things when they are running for office, and voters must distinguish between reality and fantasy regarding a politician’s promises. In the case of the Ukraine war, I think everybody took Donald’s “end the Ukraine war on day one”, with a grain of salt, as this war is complex in its causes, participants, and the interwoven economic and international politics’ driving it. We can forgive him for his campaign bluster. When it comes to his promise to end offshore wind on day one, well that’s another story. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:55
Walmart sued for using local boat in imported shrimp ad
A Louisiana Walmart is in hot water after they got called out for using an image of a local fishing boat to sell imported shrimp, and now a local shrimper is suing the retailer for using an image of his boat. The incredible volume of imported shrimp isn’t just hurting the reputation of restaurants but the Louisiana fishers who make a living off catching and selling domestic shrimp. George Barisich, president of the United Commerical Fisherman’s Association, is suing Walmart because the store in Meraux had an image of the FJG, the boat his father built for shrimping, sitting displayed above a cooler of imported shrimp for sale. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:02
Gulf Coast shrimpers say tariffs are a lifeline for their industry
Shrimpers along the Gulf Coast say they need more help from the federal government with cheap shrimp imports from countries like Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam driving down local demand. With reciprocal tariffs on imports from those countries on hold for 90 days, shrimpers are left wondering if they will get a lifeline, they say they desperately need. Some shrimp farmers are ready to push for measures like capping imports at 25%. Rodney Olander with the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force has been coasting the gulf coast waters for shrimp for more than 40 years. Shrimp season is just a month away. But Rodney said the shrimp industry has been suffering for years. Now he’s working with the Trump administration, hoping to save his business. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:34
Tariffs not a long-term fix for shrimping industry: Shrimpers
Shortly after the White House on Wednesday afternoon abruptly paused the tariffs that had gone into effect some 12 hours earlier and lowering them to 10% on goods for 90 days, minus those from China, the Southern Shrimp Alliance released a statement reiterating its support for tariffs. “It is encouraging that the Trump Administration’s tariffs have prompted countries to show a new willingness to address trade policies disadvantaging American producers,” Southern Shrimp Alliance Executive Director John Williams stated. “We want to compete in a market where competitors cannot use intolerable practices like forced labor and banned antibiotics to undercut us. For shrimpers, tariffs respond to an urgent need to offset unfair trade.” And while shrimpers say that will be the case, that’s not where they want their message to end. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 10:56
19 Baldwin County restaurants claiming imported shrimp is locally sourced: report
An investigation into the Baldwin County restaurant scene and shrimp served has been finalized, leading to the finding of 19 restaurants making false claims, News 5 has learned. According to a SeaD Consulting news release, the Southern Shrimp Alliance commissioned the group to genetically analyze shrimp dishes at 44 restaurants in the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Foley areas. This investigation into the restaurants began after genetic testing of shrimp at the 2024 National Shrimp Festival, which found that four out of five vendors were selling imported shrimp, according to the release. The consulting group found that 25 of the 44 restaurants serve “authentic Gulf wild-caught shrimp,” while 19 serve imported shrimp, claiming their shrimp was locally sourced. The group said they also found that the seven “boil houses” were serving authentic, local shrimp. Links, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 15:49
SC shrimpers supported Trump’s steep tariffs. Here’s what they think about 90-day pause
When President Donald Trump announced steep tariffs on many countries including shrimp-producing nations, the U.S. shrimping industry applauded saying the move would stem foreign competitors from dumping shrimp raised on aquaculture farms into the U.S. market hurting local shrimpers who catch and market wild shrimp. Then on Wednesday afternoon, Trump said he was placing a 90-day pause on the steep tariffs, including those on shrimp, which were set to go into effect immediately. A 10% rate will be in effect in the meantime. The Southern Shrimping Alliance’s (SSA) response was still positive in the wake of the president’s latest shift, saying the pause and tariff reductions will allow for negotiations on the tariffs and other issues including trade barriers, currency manipulation and non-monetary tariffs, which are rules that dictate how a product can be manufactured, handled or advertised. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:05
In a Tiny Gulf Town, Big Cheers for Trump’s Tariffs
“When I saw the announcement, I could hardly believe it at first,” said Jeremy Zirlott, a commercial shrimper in town. “It seemed too good to be true.” In Bayou La Batre and small shrimping towns like it, the economy has cratered in recent years on the back of a deluge of cheap, farmed shrimp. Fishermen unable to sell their shrimp to break even on gas, labor and supplies have had to tie up their boats. Supply shops, seafood processors, marine technicians and others in the industry have suffered, too. More than 90% of the millions of pounds of shrimp consumed annually in the U.S. is imported, according to the Southern Shrimp Alliance, based on an analysis of data from the U.S. International Trade Commission. Video, photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:53
