In Savannah, Georgia, recent genetic testing has revealed a troubling trend among local eateries: many continue to serve imported shrimp while advertising it as local or wild-caught, despite regulations aimed at preventing such misrepresentation.
Last year, a significant portion of sampled restaurants—77%—were found to be serving imported or farm-raised shrimp under the guise of wild American shrimp. This issue has persisted, as a recent investigation by SeaD Consulting has shown.
During tests conducted from May 15 to 16, SeaD Consulting discovered that only nine out of 22 shrimp dishes marketed as locally caught actually contained American wild-caught shrimp.
The findings revealed that 13 of the tested dishes were comprised of imported or farm-raised shrimp, yet most were still being falsely advertised. In 12 of these cases, menus or verbal assurances misled customers about the shrimp’s origins, claiming they were local or wild-caught.
According to the report, 12 of the 13 dishes misrepresented the shrimp’s origin through menu claims or verbal assurances that the shrimp were local or wild-caught.
House Bill 117 requires restaurants to disclose when they serve imported shrimp. It was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp around 10 days before the 2026 SeaD Consulting test began.
Industry leaders said the results show Georgia’s new shrimp labeling law needs stronger enforcement.
“This retest confirms exactly why Georgia needed stronger transparency laws,” Georgia State Rep. Jesse Petrea said. “Consumers deserve honest information about the seafood they are consuming, and Georgia shrimpers deserve a fair marketplace. The passage of Georgia’s shrimp labeling law through House Bill 117 was an important first step but now must be enforced in the existing food service inspection process. These findings demonstrate the importance of continued accountability and inspections moving forward at restaurants.”
Coastal Georgia Rep. Petrea was the original sponsor for HB 117.
The report found 59% of the dishes were misrepresented which was an improvement compared to the 77% from the last round of testing.
That wasn’t all though, SeaD Consulting reportedly found three restaurants who previously served American wild-caught shrimp were now found serving imported product.
“That reversal is incredibly disappointing,” said Director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance Blake Price. “It shows that restaurants known to use American wild-caught shrimp sometimes serve imports of unknown origin without proper disclosure. Accountability cannot depend on one round of testing — there has to be continued oversight if we want meaningful change. How can Georgia and its tourists support local fishermen, sustainable harvesting, and enjoy the superior flavor of U.S. wild-caught shrimp, if there isn’t honest labeling?”
Six restaurants reportedly served American wild-caught shrimp during both testing periods: Boar’s Head Grill and Tavern, Coastal 15, Fiddler’s Crab House and Oyster Bar, Rhett, Sea Wolf and The Olde Pink House.
The report did not name which restaurants were found to not be in compliance.