DNA testing points to year-over-year improvement
More restaurants in Galveston, Texas, are serving domestic wild-caught shrimp than they were a year ago, according to new DNA testing conducted by SeaD Consulting. The firm, which analyzes shrimp sold along the U.S. Gulf Coast, says increased scrutiny and public accountability are beginning to change sourcing practices.
In December 2024, SeaD Consulting found that just 41% of tested Galveston restaurants were serving domestic shrimp. Follow-up testing carried out in December 2025 showed that figure had risen to 64%, marking a notable year-over-year improvement.
Accountability drives behavior change
SeaD Consulting founder David Williams said the results demonstrate that verification efforts can influence restaurant decisions.
“When restaurants are tested and held accountable, many correct course quickly,” Williams said, adding that repeated mislabeling by some establishments suggests intentional behavior rather than confusion.
According to the firm, five restaurants were found to have misrepresented shrimp origin in both testing periods, pointing to what it described as “persistent, structural fraud.”
Sample size differences and mixed results
The scope of testing differed between the two periods. In 2024, SeaD Consulting sampled 44 restaurants, while the 2025 follow-up randomly tested 22 of those same locations. The earlier round found 18 restaurants serving Gulf-caught shrimp, while the later test identified 14 restaurants doing so.
The firm also noted that two restaurants previously flagged for mislabeling had switched to domestic shrimp, while one restaurant moved in the opposite direction, shifting from domestic to imported shrimp between tests.
Impact on shrimpers and coastal economies
Industry representatives argue that accurate labeling is critical for domestic shrimpers, who struggle to compete with lower-priced imported products when consumers are misled.
Southern Shrimp Alliance Deputy Director Blake Price said the findings show progress, but warned that ongoing fraud continues to harm fishermen and coastal communities.
Texas law may be reinforcing progress
SeaD Consulting suggested that a new Texas law may be contributing to improved compliance. Passed last year, Senate Bill 823 requires clear labeling of imported shrimp by wholesalers and bans restaurants from marketing imported shrimp as “Texas,” “Gulf,” “American,” or “Domestic.”
Texas Representative Terri Leo Wilson said the law is beginning to show results, though she emphasized that enforcement and continued oversight remain essential.
“Laws alone do not solve the problem, but the progress we are now seeing shows that accountability is working,” Wilson said.