The South Carolina Shrimpers Association has filed an amended federal lawsuit naming 25 restaurants it claims have misrepresented the source of their shrimp. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court, accuses the businesses of violating federal and state consumer protection laws by marketing imported shrimp as local, wild-caught seafood.
According to the complaint, the restaurants used language and imagery that gave diners the impression they were eating shrimp sourced from South Carolina waters, when in fact it was imported from overseas. The suit references the Lanham Act and South Carolina’s Unfair Trade Practices Act.
At a press conference near Charleston’s Pineapple Fountain, Bryan Jones, vice president of the shrimpers’ association, stated that coastal diners deserve transparency about their seafood. He emphasized the importance of preserving the integrity of local fisheries and ensuring that consumers know where their food comes from.
The legal action follows a genetic testing effort funded by the Southern Shrimp Alliance and conducted by SEAD Consulting, which found that 40 out of 44 restaurants tested were serving non-domestic shrimp. Only a few restaurants—such as Mount Pleasant Seafood and Page’s Okra Grill—have publicly responded, denying any wrongdoing and claiming transparency in their sourcing practices.
Attorney Gedney Howe IV, representing the shrimpers, said the goal is to promote accountability and truthful labeling, not just financial compensation. He stated that the group intends to pursue injunctive relief to stop deceptive practices and restore trust in the local seafood supply.
The association claims the mislabeling has long-term effects, both on consumer confidence and on the economic survival of South Carolina shrimpers.
Original Source: Live5News – Shrimpers group names restaurants in lawsuit over shrimp origin
