JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 The Greater Jacksonville area is surrounded by water, so seafood is naturally a go-to treat for many when they stop by local restaurants.<\/p>\n
But a study by SeaD Consulting on behalf of the Southern Shrimp Alliance<\/a> found that nearly 60% of randomly sampled local restaurant shrimp are being falsely represented as local, American wild-caught product, including shrimp marketed as iconic \u201cMayport Shrimp.\u201d<\/p>\n READ: Full Shrimp Authenticity Report<\/a><\/p>\n The researchers collected shrimp dish samples from 44 randomly selected restaurants and seafood markets in the Jacksonville area.<\/p>\n The results show:<\/p>\n 14 of 44 dishes (32%)\u00a0were confirmed as authentic American wild-caught shrimp<\/p>\n 30 of 44 dishes (68%)\u00a0were imported or farm-raised shrimp<\/p>\n 25 of 44 establishments (57%) were explicitly inauthentic, meaning menus or staff verbally represented the shrimp as local\/Mayport\/American wild-caught when testing confirmed imports<\/p>\n But the researchers said what\u2019s even worse than the misrepresentation is that restaurants are profiting off it by charging customers a premium.<\/p>\n Consumers were paying more for the misrepresented product — on average, $2 more per plate for inauthentic vs. authentic American wild-caught, the study found.<\/p>\n According to the results of the study, of the 30 imported\/farm-raised shrimp dishes identified:<\/p>\n Only\u00a03 of 30 restaurants\u00a0indicated the dish contained imported farm-raised shrimp<\/p>\n 2 of 30 restaurants\u00a0were unsure of shrimp origin when asked, though testing confirmed imports<\/p>\n 25 of 30 restaurants,\u00a0either through menu descriptions or staff assurances, claimed shrimp were local\/Mayport\/American wild-caught when they were not<\/p>\n Notably, 6 of the 25 explicitly inauthentic restaurants were listed on the Jacksonville Mayport Shrimp Trail<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cFalse advertising and mislabeling of shrimp dishes negatively impacts our American wild-caught shrimping industry, honest restaurants and seafood markets, and anyone coming to the coast looking for regional seafood,\u201d said Blake Price, Director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance<\/a>.<\/p>\n Among those \u201chonest restaurants,\u201d the study found the following businesses accurately represented that they serve authentic American wild-caught shrimp:<\/p>\n AJ\u2019s Seafood, 21-1 Arlington Rd N, Jacksonville, FL 32211<\/p>\n Beachside Seafood, 120 3rd St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250<\/p>\n Blue Fish Restaurant & Oyster Bar, 3551 St. Johns Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32205<\/p>\n Fisherman\u2019s Dock Seafood Market, 11610 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223 <\/p>\n Grouper Shack, 1700 3rd St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250<\/p>\n Julington Creek Fish Camp, 12760 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223<\/p>\n Land Shark Bar & Grill, 715 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250<\/p>\n Marker 32, 14549 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32250<\/p>\n Mayport C & C Fisheries Seafood Market, 36 W 6th St, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233<\/p>\n New Berlin Fish House & Oyster Bar,604 New Berlin Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218<\/p>\n Safe Harbor Seafood Restaurant, 4378 Ocean St, Mayport, FL 32233<\/p>\n Seafood Express & More, 12961 N Main St #105, Jacksonville, FL 32218<\/p>\n Singleton\u2019s Seafood Shack, 4728 Ocean St, Jacksonville, FL 32223<\/p>\n Voodoo Brewing Co, 1974 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207<\/p>\n According to the researchers, the majority of states that produce warmwater shrimp have passed laws<\/a> to address false advertising and protect consumers and local fisheries, but Florida has not.<\/p>\n Price said the large number of tourists who visit the state and its abundant coastline are expecting authenticity.<\/p>\n \u201cSeafood tourism is real. They aren\u2019t seeking imported farm-raised shrimp. They want the ocean-fresh flavor of U.S. wild-caught shrimp\u2014the sustainable seafood caught right here,” Price said. \u201cGiven the rampant bait-and-switch in the marketplace, Florida needs to join other states and pass a law requiring transparent seafood labeling in restaurants. Let consumers make an informed choice.\u201d<\/p>\n