As plastic pollution and climate threats grow along the Texas coast, a nonprofit has launched a $1 million campaign to open a permanent conservation and education hub in Galveston.
As plastic pollution and climate threats grow along the Texas coast, a nonprofit has launched a $1 million campaign to open a permanent conservation and education hub in Galveston.
Texas Gulf Coast shrimpers, struggling with years of declining prices, escalating fuel expenses, and heightened competition from low-cost imports, might discover an unexpected supporter in former President Donald Trump’s suggested tariffs.
The extensive trade policy, which has generated significant opposition across various sectors, seeks to implement high tariffs on imported goods—specifically shrimp from nations such as India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, which together represent the bulk of shrimp sold in the U.S. Domestic shrimpers, witnessing their earnings plummet due to the influx of low-priced foreign competition, believe these tariffs could create a more equitable market environment.
Shrimpers in Texas and throughout the Gulf region have indicated that they are opting to leave shrimp in the water instead of selling them for as little as $1 a pound. “We’ve hit rock bottom now,” said Frank Parker, a fourth-generation shrimper from Mississippi. Specific individuals within the industry recognize possible drawbacks—tariffs may elevate the cost of shellfish for both restaurants and consumers and raise expenses for steel and equipment utilized in vessel repairs. Nevertheless, numerous individuals are prepared to take the risk. “If I can earn the money, I’ll handle it,” Parker added.
At the same time, Texas state lawmakers are moving forward with legislation to provide additional support for local shrimpers. Three proposed bills, co-sponsored by Galveston Republican Terri Leo Wilson, seek to enhance labeling requirements for imported shrimp in retail and dining establishments, while also limiting the use of imported shrimp in schools and public agencies.
Proponents argue that these measures would motivate consumers to choose locally sourced Gulf shrimp, thereby strengthening the economic sustainability of the domestic industry.
More than 90% of shrimp eaten in the U.S. is sourced from overseas, and the interplay of federal tariffs and state-level laws may signal a significant change for one of Texas’s long-standing coastal traditions.
