Overview
- The South Carolina Shrimpers Association amended its federal lawsuit on July 2 to add 25 Charleston-area restaurants accused of marketing imported shrimp as local wild-caught.
- The complaint alleges false and misleading representations in violation of the federal Lanham Act and South Carolina’s Unfair Trade Practices Act.
- Named establishments including Tavern & Table and Page’s Okra Grill have denied making local shrimp claims, emphasizing clear menu language and mixed sourcing from U.S. and international suppliers.
- SeaD Consulting tests commissioned by the Southern Shrimp Alliance found 40 out of 44 sampled eateries mislabeling imported shrimp as local, underlining challenges in seafood supply chain transparency.
- Restaurants are required to file formal responses in the District of South Carolina, where the association seeks damages and injunctive relief to protect the region’s shrimping economy.