Story by Marlo Lacen
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Where you stand on the name of the Gulf of water south of Louisiana is not nearly as important as where the shrimp on your plate came from.
A recent report revealed that 58% of restaurants sampled in Shreveport were found to advertise or imply they serve Gulf wild-caught shrimp falsely. Rapid ID Genetic Highly-Accurate Test (RIGHTTest) revealed that farm-raised imported shrimp are being passed along to unknowing consumers as authentic Gulf shrimp. Samples taken between March 8-10, 2025, showed that the Shreveport sample contained the highest inauthenticity rate in Louisiana.
Shreveport is not as close to the Gulf as Louisiana’s southernmost city, but that’s not an excuse for passing off imported shrimp as if they were sourced from closer waterways. However, choosing the often “cheaper” shrimp option instead of Gulf shrimp impacts Louisiana fishermen who are already fighting against environmental challenges, as well as those who earn their keep sourcing seafood.
“This is a blow to the culture of Louisiana, where authenticity in food is paramount,” said Rodney Olander, Chairman of the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force. “When consumers are misled, it hurts local shrimpers and damages the reputation of our beloved seafood industry. We have the support of Southern Louisiana, but clearly not the entire state.”
So if you want to eat Gulf shrimp that hasn’t traveled, been frozen, or processed to get to your plate, the following local restaurants serve authentic Gulf shrimp.
Chuck Wagon Crawfish, Copeland’s of New Orleans (E. Bert Kouns Industrial Loop), The Crabby Crawfish, Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, Flying Burger and Seafood, The Noble Savage, and Oyster Bar & Grille.
In the Louisiana study, the restaurants found to be serving imported shrimp without proper menu labeling on signage were released to the Louisiana Department of Health for review and enforcement.
The Louisiana Shrimp Task Force studies and monitors the shrimp industry and makes recommendations to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.