Groups to Release New Test Results on Shrimp Sold at S.C. Restaurants

Federal and state shrimping advocates plan to reveal findings on local sourcing claims next week.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Federal and state shrimping industry advocates say they plan to reveal results of a new round of genetic testing on shrimp served at lowcountry restaurants in South Carolina next week. The testing is part of an effort to address concerns that some restaurants are misleading customers by advertising local shrimp when they are actually serving imported shrimp.

Why it matters

This issue is seen as hugely significant for the local South Carolina shrimping industry, as restaurants can buy cheaper imported shrimp, advertise it as local, and sell it at a higher price - hurting local shrimpers who are struggling to make ends meet.

The details

For the second round of testing, the groups returned to half of the Charleston-area restaurants they tested last time. The previous report found that 40 out of 44 restaurants sampled were misleading customers, with 25 found to be outright fraudulent in their shrimp sourcing claims. The shrimping groups are pushing for state legislation to require country-of-origin menu labeling, similar to laws in Louisiana and Texas.

  • The new test results are expected to be released next week.
  • The previous report was released about eight months ago, in the summer of 2025.

The players

SeaD

A consulting firm that conducted the previous round of genetic testing on shrimp served at Charleston-area restaurants.

Dave Williams

The founder of SeaD, who says consumers need to get what they're paying for and that the effects on the local shrimping industry are "hugely significant."

Southern Shrimp Alliance

A federal shrimping industry advocate group that partnered with SeaD Consulting for the second round of testing.

South Carolina Shrimpers Association

A state-level shrimping industry advocate group that partnered with SeaD Consulting for the second round of testing.

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What they’re saying

“Consumers need to get what they're paying for. That's incredibly important.”

— Dave Williams, Founder, SeaD (wrdw.com)

“These shrimpers, and they will tell you, up until last year, the years before, it was quite often where they didn't have enough money to actually pay for the diesel to go out fishing.”

— Dave Williams, Founder, SeaD (wrdw.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.