GULF SHORES, Ala. (WKRG) — An investigation into the Baldwin County restaurant scene and shrimp served has been finalized, resulting in the discovering of 19 eating places making false claims, News 5 has realized.
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In accordance with a SeaD Consulting information launch, the Southern Shrimp Alliance commissioned the group to genetically analyze shrimp dishes at 44 eating places within the Gulf Shores, Orange Seashore and Foley areas.
This investigation into the eating places started after genetic testing of shrimp on the 2024 Nationwide Shrimp Competition, which discovered that 4 out of 5 distributors were selling imported shrimp, in line with the discharge.
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The consulting group discovered that 25 of the 44 eating places serve “genuine Gulf wild-caught shrimp,” whereas 19 serve imported shrimp, claiming their shrimp was domestically sourced.
The group mentioned in addition they discovered that the seven “boil homes” have been serving genuine, native shrimp.
“It’s disheartening to see each pageant distributors and native eating places deceptive shoppers,” mentioned the President of the Organized Seafood Affiliation of Alabama, Ernie Anderson. “Our shrimpers work tirelessly to supply high-quality, sustainable seafood.
“When institutions misrepresent their choices, it undermines our business and deceives the general public.”
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The examine discovered these eating places to be serving domestically sourced shrimp:
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Baumhower’s Victory Grille
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Seashore Home Kitchen & Cocktails
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Blalock Seafood & Specialty Market
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De Soto’s Seafood Kitchen
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Doc’s Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar
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Gelato Joe’s Italian Restaurant & Bar
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Gulf Bowl & Captain’s Selection
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King Neptune’s Seafood Restaurant
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Lartigue’s Recent & Steamed Seafood
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Native and Firm Meals+Drink
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Information 5 is sharing SeaD’s outcomes after the group studied numbered, not named, samples, to stop bias, in line with a spokesperson. Unmentioned eating places could also be serving domestically sourced shrimp, however might not have been included on this examine.
SeaD offered an outline of the findings, however not the total check outcomes, upon request.
In accordance with the discharge, the 19 eating places that misrepresent their shrimp will likely be urged to align their practices with Alabama labeling legal guidelines. There may also be follow-up testing.
“We solely publicize the names of the eating places who’re supporting the native shrimping business first, and can ship letters to these eating places discovered to be misrepresenting to allow them to tackle the problem and guarantee it’s not a provider drawback,” a SeaD Consulting spokesperson mentioned in an announcement to Information 5.
“The names are additionally given to native authorities for evaluation and enforcement.”
Alabama enacted the Seafood Labeling Regulation in Might 2024, which mandates that “eating places and retailers disclose the nation of origin and whether or not seafood is wild-caught or farm-raised.”
The discharge mentioned penalties for violating the legislation embody warnings and fines as much as $1,000, however the Alabama Division of Public Well being had been inconsistent in imposing the legislation.
“Till extra enforcement is in place, Gulf Shores space residents and guests are urged to remain vigilant and ask for the nation of origin of shrimp when served at eating places, and if doubtful, demand proof of native sourcing by asking to see the field the shrimp got here in,” learn the discharge.
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For this 12 months’s Nationwide Seafood pageant, distributors should promote native wild-caught shrimp, and fines will likely be issued for distributors who don’t comply, however it’s unclear how this will likely be enforced.
“The U.S. shrimp business is dealing with a disaster. Lots of our rivals farm-raise their shrimp utilizing pressured labor, banned antibiotics, and have obtained billions in worldwide improvement funding,” mentioned John Williams, government director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance.
“American fishermen harvest premium-quality shrimp that develop naturally in plentiful portions proper right here in our native waters. Shoppers need it. They like it. However, they can’t discover it simply on account of false promoting,” he mentioned.
Neil Costes contributed to this report.
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