U.S. shrimpers are once again fighting to stay afloat as imported farm-raised shrimp flood the domestic market, driving prices down and threatening the livelihood of commercial fishermen across the Gulf and South Atlantic.
Congressman Troy Nehls (R-TX) is reintroducing the Save Our Shrimpers Act (SOS Act) for 2025. The SOS Act seeks to end the use of U.S. taxpayer funds to finance foreign shrimp farming operations through international financial institutions.
The bill builds on the 2024 SOS Act, which first brought national attention to the role of organizations like the World Bank and International Finance Corporation in bankrolling foreign shrimp aquaculture projects. According to Nehls’ office, these institutions, funded in part by U.S. taxpayer dollars, have been instrumental in expanding shrimp farms overseas, creating an oversupply that has driven down prices for American-caught shrimp.
For many shrimpers, the situation has reached a breaking point. Domestic fleets are tying up or selling off boats, unable to turn a profit as dockside prices continue to plummet. Industry groups like the Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) have long warned that international financing of shrimp aquaculture has contributed to this crisis, effectively subsidizing America’s competition.
According to a 2023 SSA report titled A Crisis of Our Own Making, billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars have gone toward foreign shrimp production, worsening the economic strain on domestic shrimpers. The 2024 version of the Act cited a $1.5 billion drop in U.S. shrimp imports’ value since 2021, attributing it to unchecked global production and surplus-driven price declines, shared by National Fisherman in April 2024.
“American shrimp boats aren’t tied up at the docks due to free market principles,” SSA executive director John Williams said. “Redirecting taxpayer dollars to fund our competition through multilateral banks is sinking our industry.”
What the 2025 Bill Does
The Save Our Shrimpers Act of 2025 would prohibit U.S. taxpayer funds from being used by international financial institutions to support shrimp farming, processing, or exports in foreign countries. Specifically, the bill targets institutions such as:
- The International Monetary Fund
- The World Bank and its subsidiaries
- The Inter-American Development Bank
- The Asian Development Bank
- The African Development Bank
Additionally, the bill mandates an annual report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to ensure compliance with existing federal laws, including 22 U.S.C. § 262h, which requires U.S. representatives at these institutions to oppose funding that could harm American producers.
A key issue raised by Congressman Nehl is the lack of enforcement of this law, which has allowed projects like a recent $20 million loan from the International Finance Corporation to Ecuadorian shrimp giant Omarsa S.A. to proceed despite opposition from the U.S.
Growing Support for the SOS Act
The 2025 bill has garnered backing from key lawmakers and industry groups, many of whom supported last year’s legislation. In addition to bipartisan congressional sponsors, organizations such as the SSA, Texas Shrimp Association, South Carolina Shrimper’s Association, and Louisiana Shrimp Association have expressed strong support.
With mounting pressure from struggling shrimpers, lawmakers are pushing for swift action to curb international funding that undercuts U.S. commercial fishing. “This isn’t just about economics- it’s about protecting an industry that has been a backbone of coastal communities for generations,” Nehls said in a statement.
As the 2025 SOS Act moves through Congress, shrimpers and industry advocates remain hopeful that this legislation will mark a turning point in their fight for survival.
Read the full press release and 2025 SOS Act here.
