WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jun. 5, 2026) - Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC-01) introduced the Shrimp Honesty and Responsibility in Import Monitoring Protocols (SHRIMP) Act of 2026. The legislation takes direct aim at unaccountable foreign imports, directing the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in consultation with the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Commandant of the Coast Guard. to develop a portable, chemical testing methodology to identify the country of origin of shrimp.

This methodology has broad applications from supporting law enforcement in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, to improving food safety and traceability, to verifying compliance with country-of-origin labeling laws, to improving screening of shrimp at ports of entry, and bolstering enforcement of trade restrictions and customs duties. This technology would be an essential tool to protecting South Carolina's shrimping industry from unfair foreign competition.

South Carolina shrimpers have been undercut for years by foreign imports with no accountability and no transparency. Our SHRIMP Act puts an end to this. It creates a verified, science-based method to identify country of origin, cracks down on illegal and unreported fishing, and ensures Lowcountry shrimpers are not pushed out by foreign competitors who play by different rules.

"Lowcountry shrimpers are the backbone of South Carolina's coast and they are being undercut by foreign imports operating outside our laws," said Congresswoman Mace. "These men and women have worked these waters for generations and they play by the rules. Foreign competitors do not. This ends now. Our SHRIMP Act gives law enforcement the tools to verify where shrimp actually comes from, cracks down on illegal fishing operations, and makes sure South Carolina shrimpers can compete on a level playing field. They have earned it. We are delivering it."

The SHRIMP Act:

• Directs the Administrator of the NOAA and the Director of the NIST, in coordination with the Commissioner of CBP and the Commandant of the Coast Guard, to develop a science-based methodology for identifying the country of origin of shrimp within 18 months of enactment
• Requires the methodology to use chemical analysis, be deployable as a portable field kit, and work on raw shrimp, cooked shrimp, and prepared foods containing shrimp
• Supports federal and state law enforcement in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing operations
• Improves food safety and traceability of shrimp in the U.S. food supply
• Facilitates screening at ports of entry and enforcement of trade restrictions and customs duties
• Requires the Secretary to submit a report to Congress within two years on the methodology and a plan for operationalizing it

The SHRIMP Act is supported by shrimping industry leaders nationwide:

"Opaque foreign shrimp supply chains have become a loophole for transshipment, evading U.S. food safety, labor, environmental, and trade laws. Representative Mace's SHRIMP Act would give regulators and law enforcement a scientific tool to identify the true origin of illegal imports and restore a fair playing field for American fishermen," said Blake Price, director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance.

"Consumers deserve honesty about the seafood on their plate. In recent years, repeated cases of shrimp fraud have shown just how often imported shrimp is misrepresented in the marketplace. Today, accountability is improving through tools like DNA testing, but the Shrimp Honesty and Responsibility in Import Monitoring Protocols (SHRIMP) Act of 2026 takes an important next step by directing the development of chemical analysis methods that can scientifically identify the true country of origin of shrimp. These advanced techniques represent some of the best science available to strengthen sourcing verification and traceability across the seafood supply chain.On behalf of the South Carolina Shrimpers Association, we applaud Congresswoman Nancy Mace for introducing legislation that gives regulators and law enforcement better tools to ensure imported shrimp is honestly labeled and properly monitored. Stronger verification at our ports and in our markets protects consumers, supports fair trade, and ensures that hardworking American shrimpers are not undercut by fraudulent imports. Transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining trust in our seafood supply and safeguarding the coastal communities that depend on it," said Bryan Jones, Vice President, South Carolina Shrimpers Association.

"The Louisiana Shrimp Association proudly supports the SHRIMP Act of 2026 and appreciates Congresswoman Nancy Mace's leadership in standing up for America's shrimpers and domestic seafood industry. This legislation is an important step toward ensuring fair trade, protecting U.S. jobs, and preserving the future of hardworking fishing families across the Gulf Coast and beyond," said Acy Cooper, President, Louisiana Shrimp Association.

Letters of support from the Texas Shrimp Association and Louisiana Shrimp Association are included below:

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