Congressman Higgins introduces legislation in an effort to aid Louisiana shrimpers.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KLFY) – Congressman Higgins introduces legislation in an effort to aid Louisiana shrimpers.

Congressmen Clay Higgins and Troy Nehls (R-TX) introduced the Save Our Shrimpers Act of 2024, which would prohibit federal funds from being made available to International Financial Institutions (IFIs) that subsidize foreign activity relating to shrimp farming, shrimp processing, or the export of shrimp to the United States.

Domestic shrimpers are struggling to stay in business due to an increase in expenses and a rise in foreign seafood. The legislation introduced would trigger an investigation within the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) and require annual reports to Congress to track if IFIs U.S. executive directors are complying with Federal law.

“Louisiana’s shrimping industry is a way of life for many Louisianans and a significant economic driver for our state,” said Congressman Higgins. “Due to the dumping of imported products from overseas, the shrimping industry is grappling with some of the lowest prices in recent memory. The taxpayer’s hard-earned treasure shouldn’t go toward building competition against the American people. By cutting federal funding to international institutions that contribute to foreign shrimp farming, we are giving domestic shrimpers a level playing field and a seat at the table. We must continue to pursue solutions that help protect Gulf seafood and prioritize domestic production.”

“Due to the global excess capacity and production of farm-raised shrimp and imports, the U.S. market is being overwhelmed and driving shrimp prices down to levels that many shrimpers cannot cover the cost of a single shrimp fishing trip,” said Congressman Nehls. “Shrimpers in the 22nd Congressional District of Texas, along the Gulf Coast, and Atlantic Coast are faced with similar difficult decisions of whether to catch shrimp, tie up the trawlers for the season, or even be forced to sell their trawlers. In order to save our nation’s shrimping industry, we must exhaust every legislative option on the table. I commend my colleagues for joining me in support of this important effort to save our shrimpers.”

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