Tampa/St Pete are where the biggest fraudsters operate, we have got so many tourists who have no concept of what good seafood is, they just come and eat it like people who go to disney expecting more than they ever get for their money.
We also had a couple big fake grouper and fake snapper scams that were rampant in Pinellas and Hillsborough County over the last couple decades, a scallop fisaco where dozens of restaurants were selling punched out stingray meat to tourists who didnt know any better.
Shrimp is an easy seafood to fake since it usually is presented as fried popcorn shrimp or just rando pieces by lower end restaurants.
Hopefully whoever is scamming people gets their comeuppance through dna testing anywhere they are doing it.
The shrimp on Hilton Head we bought direct from the shrimpers has the best all around flavor and texture imho.
Thanks for the information even though it is very disturbing. We need to know and talk more about it. People have no idea what goes on and please continue to keep all of us informed. Much appreciated!
Very interesting article. Let's hope South Carolina and Georgia get on board with laws protecting shrimp. Anchored Seafood in Brunswick is the best market for fresh, local seafood. Will look forward to updates on this article.
It must happen with our leaders. Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana led the charge in his state. Our shrimpers are united and fighting, but need leadership to step in and lead.
That's what grinds my gears! Why can't the representatives from the coastal counties recognize the problem without being told? It's not like they don't buy or eat shrimp when they're in their district. (Morons!)
SeaD said it was not going to release the list of Savannah-area restaurants that flunked the test of locally sourced shrimp — but they did release a list of restaurants with menu offerings that passed the test.
The list — which is not comprehensive to all of Savannah’s restaurants — includes:
Belford’s Seafood and Steaks, 315 W. St. Julian St., Savannah
Boar’s Head Grill & Tavern, 1 N. Lincoln St., Savannah
Coastal 15, 102 W Bay St, Savannah
Fiddler’s Crab House & Oyster Bar, 131 W. River St., Savannah
Love’s Seafood & Steak, 6817 Chief O.F. Love Road, Savannah
SC Wildlife magazine just ran a three-part series I wrote on the state of the shrimp industry in SC and along the SE coast. It's a dire situation compounded by the graying of the fleet, rising costs as fuel and insurance go, and most of all, cheap, often questionable-quality imported shrimp. Human trafficking abroad gets into the mix as well. Our shrimpers are united and fighting it as best they can.
Shrimpers say, "Bring on the tariffs."In February, Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., sent a letter asking Trump to assist the state's seafood industry by imposing tariffs of up to 100% on shrimp and crawfish imports. In December, after an investigation, the International Trade Commission agreed to levy tariffs on Ecuador, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia for at least five years. But some in the industry consider them too low to make a significant difference.
Shrimpers want other things, too: more testing of shrimp imports for banned antibiotics, federal legislation meant to limit U.S. support for aquaculture abroad.
It is imperative that we protect our shrimping industry. The farm raised, imported shrimp do not compare to what is caught in US waters. We should also make it mandatory for restaurants to disclose where the shrimp they serve originated from.
They are currently working on making it mandatory. Thank you for your comment on imported shrimp vs. our coastal shrimp. Not only is taste important, but the fact that foreign shrimp are often raised in polluted waters and poses a health hazard.
A few years ago the South Carolina Aquarium led the charge and had a list of those serving local shrimp. My phone call to them let me know they no longer have a list and are no longer involved. Sad.
Tampa/St Pete are where the biggest fraudsters operate, we have got so many tourists who have no concept of what good seafood is, they just come and eat it like people who go to disney expecting more than they ever get for their money.
We also had a couple big fake grouper and fake snapper scams that were rampant in Pinellas and Hillsborough County over the last couple decades, a scallop fisaco where dozens of restaurants were selling punched out stingray meat to tourists who didnt know any better.
Shrimp is an easy seafood to fake since it usually is presented as fried popcorn shrimp or just rando pieces by lower end restaurants.
Hopefully whoever is scamming people gets their comeuppance through dna testing anywhere they are doing it.
The shrimp on Hilton Head we bought direct from the shrimpers has the best all around flavor and texture imho.
Thanks for the information even though it is very disturbing. We need to know and talk more about it. People have no idea what goes on and please continue to keep all of us informed. Much appreciated!
Sure thing, it was a big deal in Pinellas at all the restaurants, human nature means itll happen again and again elsewhere.
Very interesting article. Let's hope South Carolina and Georgia get on board with laws protecting shrimp. Anchored Seafood in Brunswick is the best market for fresh, local seafood. Will look forward to updates on this article.
Yes, and please let us know where to eat in the St. Simons and Brunswick area. Thank you!
If states like Alabama and Louisiana can pass laws protecting their shrimp industries, why can't South Carolina do the same?
It must happen with our leaders. Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana led the charge in his state. Our shrimpers are united and fighting, but need leadership to step in and lead.
That's what grinds my gears! Why can't the representatives from the coastal counties recognize the problem without being told? It's not like they don't buy or eat shrimp when they're in their district. (Morons!)
More action is needed.
It's up to the people to encourage our representatives to take action. Someone must lead the charge.
I agree!
PLS PLS PLS POST THE 10 RESTAURANTS THST PASSED THE DNA TEST THAT WERE LOCAL SHRIMP!!!!
SeaD said it was not going to release the list of Savannah-area restaurants that flunked the test of locally sourced shrimp — but they did release a list of restaurants with menu offerings that passed the test.
The list — which is not comprehensive to all of Savannah’s restaurants — includes:
Belford’s Seafood and Steaks, 315 W. St. Julian St., Savannah
Boar’s Head Grill & Tavern, 1 N. Lincoln St., Savannah
Coastal 15, 102 W Bay St, Savannah
Fiddler’s Crab House & Oyster Bar, 131 W. River St., Savannah
Love’s Seafood & Steak, 6817 Chief O.F. Love Road, Savannah
The Olde Pink House, 23 Abercorn St.
Pier 16, 1601 Inlet Ave, Tybee Island
Rhett, 412 Williamson St., Savannah
Sea Wolf, 106 S Campbell Ave, Tybee Island
Wood’s Seafood, 711 GA-30, Port Wentworth
Thanks for the research. I just wanted the 10 that passed!
Love your work
Blessings
Thank you, Arthur. The Pink House is legendary and has always kept its standards high.
Belford's is near the former Ellis Gallery, a favorite spot for lunch when in Savannah.
https://shrimpalliance.com/u-s-shrimp-industry-hails-new.../
Tariffs are praised by the Southern Shrimp Alliance.
SC Wildlife magazine just ran a three-part series I wrote on the state of the shrimp industry in SC and along the SE coast. It's a dire situation compounded by the graying of the fleet, rising costs as fuel and insurance go, and most of all, cheap, often questionable-quality imported shrimp. Human trafficking abroad gets into the mix as well. Our shrimpers are united and fighting it as best they can.
Shrimpers say, "Bring on the tariffs."In February, Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., sent a letter asking Trump to assist the state's seafood industry by imposing tariffs of up to 100% on shrimp and crawfish imports. In December, after an investigation, the International Trade Commission agreed to levy tariffs on Ecuador, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia for at least five years. But some in the industry consider them too low to make a significant difference.
Shrimpers want other things, too: more testing of shrimp imports for banned antibiotics, federal legislation meant to limit U.S. support for aquaculture abroad.
It is imperative that we protect our shrimping industry. The farm raised, imported shrimp do not compare to what is caught in US waters. We should also make it mandatory for restaurants to disclose where the shrimp they serve originated from.
They are currently working on making it mandatory. Thank you for your comment on imported shrimp vs. our coastal shrimp. Not only is taste important, but the fact that foreign shrimp are often raised in polluted waters and poses a health hazard.
Wasn’t there a list a few years ago that listed Beaufort restaurants that served local shrimp?
A few years ago the South Carolina Aquarium led the charge and had a list of those serving local shrimp. My phone call to them let me know they no longer have a list and are no longer involved. Sad.
That’s very sad
Yes! It’s absolutely tragic.