October marks National Seafood Month, and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has seized the opportunity to promote one of the state’s critical but struggling sectors—wild-caught shrimp. Through the “Caught Here, Not Brought Here” campaign, the TDA is shining a spotlight on Texas wild-caught shrimp, urging consumers to choose local products over cheap, imported alternatives.

Facing a Tidal Wave of Imports

The Gulf shrimp industry in Texas faces significant challenges, primarily from a flood of inexpensive, farm-raised shrimp imports, many of which are produced under questionable, environmentally unsustainable conditions. These imports are eroding the market for Texas wild-caught shrimp, a product with a reputation for superior quality and flavor. Sid Miller, the Texas Agriculture Commissioner, emphasizes that the industry is in dire need of assistance as it battles to stay afloat amidst rising production costs and shrinking market share.

“We’re constantly trying to promote the wild-caught shrimp industry,” said Miller. “They need a lot of help.”

Miller’s remarks reflect a growing concern that without intervention, the industry could face collapse. Texas shrimpers are struggling to maintain profitability as input costs soar, making it difficult for them to compete with cheaper imports. Despite Texas shrimp’s superior quality, it is often outpriced in the marketplace.

Economic and Cultural Significance

While Texas is often associated with agriculture staples like cattle and cotton, Miller points out that seafood, particularly shrimp, is a major component of the state’s agricultural identity. The shrimp industry still supports roughly 5,000 jobs in the state, but these livelihoods are increasingly at risk.

“The high input cost is the thing that’s really killing them,” said Miller. “The cost to get it to market is more than what the market will pay them for it. You can’t stay in that business model very long.”

At stake is not only an industry worth an estimated USD 260 million, but also a way of life integral to many Gulf communities. Efforts to preserve the industry extend beyond Texas, with other Gulf states such as Florida facing similar struggles during shrimping seasons.

The Case for Consumer Awareness

Central to the TDA’s campaign is educating consumers on how to differentiate between farm-raised imports and organic, wild-caught Texas shrimp. Through tips on packaging, restaurant menus, and recipes, the campaign aims to help consumers make informed decisions that support local shrimpers. Maria Barrera-Jaross, executive director of the Texas Shrimp Association, praises the campaign’s efforts to raise awareness of the superiority of Texas wild-caught shrimp.

“Texas shrimpers produce the best shrimp in the world,” Barrera-Jaross said. “This campaign will highlight the importance and benefits of purchasing high-quality, wild-caught shrimp compared to foreign, farm-raised shrimp that is overwhelmingly imported into this country.”

The Call for Regulatory Change

Miller also draws attention to the broader regulatory failures that allow substandard imports to flood the US market. He suggests that Congress should impose stricter inspection protocols for shrimp imports, similar to those applied to imported catfish. Current regulations allow many rejected shipments of shrimp to be relabeled and re-sent, providing them with ample opportunity to bypass quality controls.

“About a third of the imports are rejected, but the problem is we don’t destroy them,” Miller said. “They can take them back, re-label them and send them back again.”

While efforts to prompt Congress into action have so far fallen on deaf ears, Miller remains determined to continue advocating for a level playing field for domestic shrimpers. He is optimistic that the case can be made convincingly, as other Gulf states grapple with similar challenges.

A Fight for Survival

As Texas shrimpers battle rising costs and an influx of inferior imports, the state’s shrimp industry is at a critical juncture. The TDA’s campaign serves as a rallying cry to protect this vital sector, not only for the economic benefits it provides but also for the cultural heritage it represents. The hope is that consumers, armed with information, will choose to support local shrimpers and, in doing so, help preserve a way of life that has thrived along the Texas coast for generations.

For now, Texas shrimpers are counting on both public awareness and legislative action to secure their industry’s future. As Miller put it, “You just want a level playing field. Right now they don’t have that.”