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Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) has authored an op-ed for SeafoodSource, discussing his proposed legislation, the Save Our Shrimpers Act. This legislation aims to prohibit federal taxpayer dollars from subsidizing foreign shrimp farms, shrimp processing, or any activity in a foreign country that supports the production, processing, or exportation of shrimp into U.S. markets.
Nehls represents the 22nd Congressional District of Texas, which includes areas bordering the Gulf of Mexico. In April 2024, he introduced the Save Our Shrimpers Act to ban federal funding from supporting shrimp farming and foreign shrimp exports to the U.S., as well as shrimp processing through international monetary institutions.
"The American shrimp industry is experiencing an unprecedented crisis that is threatening its very existence," Nehls stated. He emphasized that American shrimpers are vital economic drivers for coastal communities but are struggling due to the influx of imported shrimp dominating U.S. markets.
"From higher fuel costs to inflation, American shrimpers cannot survive on the current trajectory," Nehls added. "They’re faced with difficult decisions every day about whether to sell their trawlers, keep them docked for the season, or take the risk of being able to cover the cost of a single trip."
Nehls has been questioning government actions regarding protection for American shrimpers for over a year. Last year, he sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai expressing concerns about imported shrimp and urging decisive action.
While encouraged by the Department of Commerce's decision last fall to initiate antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on warmwater shrimp from Ecuador, India, and Indonesia following his bipartisan letter, Nehls believes more work is needed.
"For decades, taxpayer dollars have been used to bankroll foreign shrimp operations across the globe," Nehls noted. He pointed out that international financial institutions like the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development have financed aquaculture facilities primarily in Asia and South America for nearly 40 years.
Citing recent investigative reports suggesting forced and child labor in India under "dangerous and abusive conditions," Nehls stressed that it is crucial not to use tax dollars to support such practices. According to 2021 findings by the U.S. Department of Labor, children in Ecuador face severe forms of child labor in agriculture sectors including fisheries.
Nehls also raised concerns about imported shrimp containing dangerous bacteria, antibiotics, and drug residues with less than 1 percent tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration compared to wild-caught American shrimp which he described as offering "the healthiest, safest, and freshest option."
Heavily subsidized farmed imports make up most consumed shrimp in the United States despite many using forced labor or banned substances according to Nehls who asserted: "Under no circumstance should America’s hard-earned tax dollars be used to facilitate demise our industry."
The Save Our Shrimpers Act would require a Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation into Treasury Department compliance with laws mandating opposition against measures harmful towards U.S producers at international financial institutions where since 2004 US directors voted yes on projects 88% times abstained only around 8% voted no just over 3%.
Nehls concluded by expressing pride in championing this act alongside other members representing Gulf Coast Texas Atlantic North Carolina illustrating shared commitment towards hardworking American Shrimpers keeping industry alive.