Texas Shrimping Industry Under Siege — New Law Aims to Shore It Up

September 4, 2025 – Texas’s once-thriving shrimping industry is facing collapse, largely due to a flood of cheaper imported shrimp. Once accounting for 50% of the U.S. supply in the 1990s, Texas now contributes just around 4%, with the number of licensed shrimpers plummeting 60% over the past 25 years to fewer than 1,000 active vessels. Many shrimpers receive as little as $1 per pound, despite retail prices reaching $10–12, undercutting their livelihoods and threatening a generational way of life.

To combat this, the state passed Senate Bill 823, which takes effect September 1, 2025, requiring wholesalers, distributors, and restaurants to clearly label shrimp as imported when they are not from Texas. The law also bans the misrepresentation of imported shrimp as “Texas,” “Gulf,” “American,” or “Domestic.” State and local health authorities are empowered to enforce these rules with administrative penalties.

Shrimping advocates herald this legislation as a vital first step. Industry stakeholders hope that transparent labeling will help level the playing field and reconnect consumers with authentic Texas shrimp. While it’s an important move, many say deeper reforms and federal support may be needed to sustain the industry for future generations.