Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14), alongside Reps. Garret Graves (LA-06), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Neal Dunn (FL-02), Jerry Carl (AL-01), Mike Ezell (MS-04), Clay Higgins (LA-03), and Greg Steube (FL-17) sent a letter to the Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to highlight issues facing the Gulf Coast shrimping industry. Foreign shrimp imports, record-high gas prices, and labor shortages negatively impact our shrimpers, our ports, and our region’s economy.

“Since 2020, half-yearly shrimp imports are up 37.5 percent to an estimated 713 million pounds of shrimp.  The value of these imports has increased nearly 54 percent since 2020,” the letter states. “Estimates for 2022 show that two billion pounds of shrimp may be imported this year, several million pounds over the total amount of all shrimp that Americans consume each year.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that 70 to 85 percent of seafood consumed in the United States is imported, with China, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Ecuador being the major exporters.  This is not a new issue; in fact, it dates back to the early 2000s.”

“In November, my staff and I met with the shrimping community in Port Arthur, Texas. We listened to the issues they are facing and have been building a coalition of Gulf Coast members to take action,” said Rep. Weber. “Fighting for our shrimping industry will continue to be a top priority for me in Congress. My fellow Representatives and I are committed to ensuring that the Department of Commerce and the Office of the United States Trade Representative fulfill their duties to defend American industry.”

“You don’t have to be Forrest Gump to know that wild, organic American shrimp are healthier, safer and taste better than the farmed seafood coming from Asia with illegal chemicals," said Rep. Graves. "Our own government must step up efforts to stop these foreign countries from using illegal trade practices to undercut superior American products.”

“South Texans know the importance of our shrimping industry and the economic benefits that come along with it,” said Rep. Gonzalez. “With the recent rise in gas prices and labor shortages, many of our shrimpers can’t compete with foreign competitors. Now more than ever, it is important for the U.S. to utilize every resource available to protect and expand domestic productions of food that our citizens rely on. I am proud to join my colleagues across the aisle to ensure that American jobs are protected, and the industry remains competitive.”

Read the full letter here.