The local shrimping industry along the Texas Gulf coast is facing a significant challenge, prompting a call for support from the community. Foreign shrimpers are inundating the U.S. market with their farm-raised shrimp, resulting in a notable decline in the price of Gulf-caught shrimp. This, combined with higher diesel costs and a shortage of workers, is creating a challenging environment for local shrimpers to sustain their operations.

Amid this ongoing battle, there is a plea for consumers to rally behind the local shrimping industry by opting for domestically caught shrimp. The initiative encourages residents to purchase shrimp sourced from the Gulf, thereby helping to buoy the local market. To facilitate this, a comprehensive list of Texas Gulf coast restaurants that exclusively serve locally sourced shrimp and seafood is available on the website www.txgulfseafood.com.

Recognizing the severity of the situation, the Port Isabel City Commission has taken the step of declaring a state of disaster for the local shrimping industry. Additionally, the Cameron County Commission has passed a resolution in support of the industry, underlining the widespread concern and collaborative efforts to address the challenges faced by local shrimpers.

On a broader scale, the Biden administration has initiated an investigation into the operations of foreign shrimpers. The investigation aims to ascertain whether these foreign entities are engaging in unfair production and trade practices that may be contributing to the difficulties faced by the domestic shrimping industry.