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With anticipation building along the Gulf Coast, the commercial shrimp season for both Texas and federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico officially opens July 15.
At the Port of Brownsville, the Texas Shrimp Association has an added reason to celebrate. After years of facing a flood of cheap, foreign shrimp imports, Texas shrimpers recently received support from state lawmakers.
During the 89th legislative session, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 823 requiring food service suppliers, wholesalers, and distributors in Texas to label whether the shrimp they sell is imported. The bill which will go into effect September 1, 2025, also prohibits restaurants from misrepresenting imported shrimp as domestic, Gulf, American, or Texas-caught. Restaurants found violating the law could face administrative penalties issued by local or state health departments.
Governor Gregg Abbott signed SB 823 and House Concurrent Resolution 76 at the end of June. HCR 76 urges the federal government to curb the mass importation of foreign shrimp into the U.S. to protect the Gulf Coast shrimping industry from unfair competition and to protect consumers from substandard shrimp that does not meet U.S. health standards.
The Port of Brownsville’s Fishing Harbor is home to a variety of commercial fishing vessels, including shrimp boats, trawlers, and longliners. It is also home to the Texas Shrimp Association (TSA), a non-profit organization founded in 1950, dedicated to supporting and growing the Gulf shrimping industry.
Maria Barrera-Jaross, the organization’s executive director, is hopeful that the recent legislative wins will spark a positive trend in the industry. “We’re hoping that next time we’ll get some stronger legislation. This is just the beginning, we’re trying to get our big toe in the door,” she said.
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