Charleston SC, August 9, 2025
News Summary
The South Carolina Shrimpers Association has filed a lawsuit against 40 restaurants for falsely advertising their shrimp as locally sourced. DNA testing indicated that these establishments served imported shrimp instead, misleading consumers and impacting local shrimpers. The lawsuit highlights the need for greater transparency in shrimp sourcing and calls for potential legal remedies against the accused restaurants.
Charleston, South Carolina – South Carolina Shrimpers Association Sues 40 Restaurants for False Advertising
The South Carolina Shrimpers Association has initiated a lawsuit against 40 unnamed restaurants for false advertising regarding the sourcing of shrimp. The lawsuit alleges that numerous local restaurants are misrepresenting their shrimp offerings as local, despite DNA testing revealing that they serve imported shrimp instead.
According to the findings commissioned by the Southern Shrimp Alliance, DNA testing conducted on shrimp dishes from 44 local restaurants identified 40 establishments that did not serve local shrimp. Of those, 25 restaurants were found to have made fraudulent claims in their marketing. The lawsuit cites violations of federal laws against false advertising, as well as South Carolina’s Fair Trade Practices Act, which prohibits misleading product origin claims.
Gedney Howe, the attorney representing the South Carolina Shrimpers Association, noted that it is illegal to misrepresent the origin of a product under both federal and state laws. The association is seeking an injunction against the accused restaurants and a potential recovery of profits that were earned through these deceptive marketing tactics.
Concerns from Local Shrimpers
Local shrimpers, including individuals like Bryan Jones and Rocky Magwood, have expressed their frustrations regarding restaurants passing off imported shrimp as local. They argue that such practices not only mislead consumers but also severely impact local shrimpers who rely on accurate labeling to maintain their livelihoods. Consumers are reportedly being deceived into paying for shrimp that does not match what is advertised, which diminishes trust in local seafood sourcing.
The association’s legal actions call for greater accountability and transparency in shrimp sourcing and labeling. Furthermore, they urge South Carolina lawmakers to consider implementing a country of origin menu law that clearly identifies the source of shrimp served in restaurants.
Update on Restaurant Practices
Amidst the ongoing legal proceedings, the South Carolina Shrimpers Association plans to update their website to promote restaurants that genuinely support local shrimp sourcing. Additionally, the results of the shrimp testing have attracted considerable media attention. Following the initial lawsuit filing, the organization amended its complaint to include the names of 25 specific restaurants accused of false claims, including well-known establishments such as Hyman’s Seafood and Dockside Charlie’s.
While the lawsuit claims that many of these restaurants were misleading, some named in the complaint have denied accusations of deceptive marketing practices. The testing results also revealed that not all establishments actively advertised their shrimp as local, which adds complexity to the situation.
Background Context
The demand for shrimp in the United States is significant, as Americans consumed an average of 7 pounds of shrimp per person in 2022, leading to a supply gap for locally sourced shrimp. As a result, restaurants often resort to importing shrimp to meet consumer demand, which complicates the issue of genuine marketing. The practice of portraying imported shrimp as local or wild-caught has drawn criticism from industry stakeholders.
The legal actions brought forth by the South Carolina Shrimpers Association aim to address these challenges and ensure that consumers receive the quality and origin of seafood they expect. The situation remains dynamic as the lawsuit proceeds, and developments are anticipated in the coming weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main issue at the center of the lawsuit?
The lawsuit centers on 40 restaurants accused of falsely advertising shrimp as being locally sourced when, in fact, they served imported shrimp.
What findings prompted the lawsuit?
DNA testing commissioned by the Southern Shrimp Alliance revealed that 40 out of 44 tested restaurants did not serve local shrimp, with 25 restaurants making false claims.
What remedies are being sought in the lawsuit?
The South Carolina Shrimpers Association is seeking an injunction against the accused restaurants and potential recovery of profits made through false advertising.
How are local shrimpers affected by this issue?
Local shrimpers are frustrated by practices that mislead consumers, which impacts their livelihoods and reduces trust in local seafood sourcing.
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Additional Resources
- Live 5 News: Shrimpers Sue Restaurants
- Wikipedia: Food Fraud
- Post and Courier: Shrimp Fraud Lawsuit
- Google Search: Shrimp Fraud Lawsuit
- Island Packet: Local News on Shrimpers
- Google Scholar: Shrimp Marketing Laws
- Charleston Business: Creative Merger Storytelling
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Shrimp
- Axios: Malcolm Graham News
- Google News: Charleston Restaurants Lawsuit
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