www.thecentersquare.com – By Nolan McKendry | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-05-01 15:49:00
(The Center Square) − Amid growing concerns nationwide over seafood fraud, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has emerged as a rare bright spot in the murky world of shrimp sourcing.
A new round of genetic testing found that nearly every shrimp dish sold at this year’s Jazz Fest was made with genuine U.S. wild-caught shrimp from the Gulf — a striking contrast to most restaurants across the South.
The study, conducted by SeaD Consulting using its RIGHTTest genetic analysis tool, examined 19 shrimp-based dishes from vendors at the 2025 festival.
Of those, 18 were verified to contain authentic Gulf shrimp. Only one dish, from a vendor whose other offerings passed the test, was found to use imported shrimp. The test was funded by the Southern Shrimp Alliance, a national advocacy group for domestic shrimpers.
“This is a huge moment of pride for New Orleans,” said Dave Williams, founder of SeaD Consulting. “We found vendors doing the right thing — not because they had to, but because it matters to them, to the community, and to the culture of this city.”
Unlike restaurants, temporary food vendors in Louisiana are not legally required to disclose whether their shrimp is imported or farm-raised. That makes the Jazz Fest findings even more remarkable: Vendors chose to support the local industry on their own.
The result is a resounding show of solidarity with Louisiana shrimpers, who face steep competition from cheaper imported shrimp, often farmed under questionable labor and environmental conditions.
The vendors found serving wild-caught Gulf shrimp span every corner of the festival grounds — from shrimp bread and gumbo in Food Area One, to Vietnamese shrimp skewers in Heritage Square and shrimp ceviche tostadas in the Cultural Exchange Village.
The timing couldn’t be better for Louisiana’s seafood industry. The inshore shrimping season is about to begin, and the industry is fighting an uphill battle. In other parts of the country, seafood fraud is rampant.
Just weeks before the Jazz Fest, SeaD Consulting conducted similar tests at 44 randomly selected restaurants in Wilmington, North Carolina—a coastal city celebrated for its seafood scene.
There, 34 restaurants (77%) were found to be serving imported, farm-raised shrimp, even as menus and servers suggested it was fresh and local. Only 10 establishments passed the authenticity test.
“In Wilmington, the seafood fraud rate is staggeringly high,” said John Williams, executive director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance. “Restaurants are misleading customers, hurting the local economy, and undermining the hard work of American shrimpers.”
The SSA has been funding shrimp testing across seven Gulf and Southeastern states as part of a broader campaign for transparency. Preliminary findings show that seafood mislabeling occurs in 78% of cases in states without seafood origin labeling laws. Even in states with such laws, fraud rates remain troubling at 36%.
The contrast between New Orleans and Wilmington underscores how cultural institutions like Jazz Fest can drive change. By voluntarily choosing Gulf shrimp, Jazz Fest vendors have shown that integrity and local pride can guide sourcing decisions—even in the absence of regulation.
“There’s no shame in selling imported shrimp,” said Dave Williams. “But there’s a big problem when you pretend it’s local. Let consumers decide—with the truth.”
The Southern Shrimp Alliance says it hopes other events and restaurants will follow Jazz Fest’s example. Until then, diners are encouraged to ask questions, request sourcing details, and support establishments that prioritize transparency and local suppliers.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Centrist
The article does not present a clear ideological stance but instead reports on factual findings related to seafood sourcing and shrimp authenticity. The tone is neutral, focusing on the results of genetic testing conducted at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and comparing it with practices in Wilmington, North Carolina. The article highlights the positive example set by Jazz Fest in supporting local shrimpers, without vilifying imported shrimp outright. The content primarily provides information on seafood fraud and the efforts of advocacy groups like the Southern Shrimp Alliance, without taking a partisan position. The focus is on transparency and consumer choice, which reflects a centrist approach.
Louisiana lawmakers plan to withdraw \$1.2 billion from the state’s Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund to fund infrastructure, economic development, and technology upgrades. The budget includes \$709M for roads and bridges, \$150M for development sites, and \$59.8M for government tech. Notable allocations include \$280M to attract federal transportation funds, \$101M for bridge maintenance, \$75M for water systems, and \$29M for college repairs. Other spending supports voting machine upgrades, a marketing campaign, and AI monitoring in prisons. Though Louisiana isn’t in a budget crisis, lawmakers cite strong reserve balances. After the withdrawal, \$2.7B remains in the trust fund.
The Louisiana Legislature’s leaders want to spend $1.2 billion that would typically be deposited into a state savings account on infrastructure, economic development and technology upgrades.
State lawmakers expect to send Gov. Jeff Landry a $48 billion budget plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1 by the time their legislative session concludes Thursday. The current plan includes additional money for roadways and bridges ($709 million), economic development site upgrades ($150 million), state government technology improvements ($59.8 million) and public university maintenance projects ($28 million).
The money comes from a state savings account called the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund, which takes in corporate taxes as well as energy production taxes in excess of $600 million each per year. Established by voters in 2016, the fund was set up to provide an additional source of funding to Louisiana during economic downturns when the state faces budget crises.
Lawmakers gave themselves a significant amount of latitude in the law to access the fund at any time, so long as they can get two-thirds of the House and Senate to vote to draw down the money.
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The Senate voted unanimously Monday through House Bill 461 to withdraw $1.2 billion. The House is expected to approve the same plan Wednesday or Thursday.
Louisiana is not in the midst of a budget crisis but legislators feel confident about using the money anyway because the state’s two major savings accounts are flush with cash. They also took $717 million out of the account just last year, mostly for transportation and youth prison projects.
Even after the withdrawal, the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund will have $2.7 billion left. There’s also more than $1.1 billion in the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund, a separate account often referred to as the state “rainy day” fund used to cover budget shortfalls.
Here are some highlights of how the money will be spent:
$280 million: Transportation funding to attract federal money
Rep. Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, said this allocation will be used to draw down $1.3 billion in federal funding for transportation projects that could include both new construction and maintenance of existing infrastructure. A list of specific items that would be funded was not provided.
This money would be used to fix and upgrade existing transportation infrastructure, according to McFarland. On top of this money, an additional $63 million is going directly to state transportation districts, where it can also be used for that purpose.
$150 million: Louisiana economic development site investment
The Louisiana Economic Development agency requested this funding in order to pay for physical upgrades and infrastructure at specific sites where the state hopes to attract private sector investment.
For example, the state has already committed to spending millions of dollars to build new roads around the site of the anticipated Hyundai steel mill in Ascension Parish. It will also reimburse Hyundai for some of the construction the company undertakes to build its facility at that location, according to The Times-Picayune. It’s unclear whether any of this funding is committed to the Hyundai project or others recently announced.
On top of this allocation, the economic development agency will also receive an additional $74 million for its “debt service and commitments program” from the $1.2 billion. The department will also get $5 million to launch a marketing campaign for the state.
$101 million: Bridge upgrades McFarland said Louisiana intends to “bundle up” bridge maintenance projects – around 20 at a time – and put them out to bid as a collective in order to get a better price on the construction work. This money would be used to pay for that work.
$75 million: Water system upgrades
This money is supposed to be used to improve local drinking water and sewerage systems in Louisiana. The state has put hundreds of millions of dollars toward similar projects since 2021, but the repairs needed are estimated to cost billions of dollars.
$29 million: College campus deferred maintenance
The funding will support delayed construction projects and repairs at public universities and colleges. It includes $3 million for work at the University of New Orleans, which is being transferred to the LSU System later this year.
$24.1 million: OMV technology upgrades
The state Office of Motor Vehicles experienced outages of its system this spring, leading Gov. Jeff Landry to declare a state of emergency and waive driver’s license fees as members of the public struggled to access the system. The technology motor vehicle offices rely on is approximately 50 years old.
$10 million: LIV Golf and other ‘major’ events
Lawmakers will combine this money with other state funds in the Major Events Incentive Fund for a total of $16.4 million in spending for tourist-heavy events that are expected to generate revenue.
These include $7 million for a LIV Golf League event in New Orleans; $3.5 million for the months-long U.S. Bowling Congress Tournament in Baton Rouge; $1.2 million for Essence Festival in New Orleans and $1.5 million for an Ultimate Fighting Championship event in New Orleans.
$10 million: New voting machines For years, Louisiana has been trying to purchase new voting machines to replace ones that are more than three decades old. This allocation comes as lawmakers passed legislation to change the bid process for purchasing a voting system earlier this month.
$5 million: Upgrade to Medicaid eligibility system
This money is supposed to allow Louisiana to upgrade the technology it uses to make sure Medicaid recipients are eligible for the public health insurance benefit. The Louisiana Department of Health recently announced its intention to start cross-checking its Medicaid rolls with other state databases, including those used by the Office of Motor Vehicles.
$4 million: More grass cutting on state roads
This allocation will be used to pay for additional cycles of mowing along state roads over the next fiscal cycle.
$3 million: AI tool for monitoring state prisoner phone calls Louisiana’s prison system will receive $3 million to help pay for an artificial intelligence tool that monitors and collects data on phone calls from state prisoners. The program Verus, made by the company LeoTech, is used to detect criminal activity, prevent self-harm and assist with public safety, according to the LeoTech’s website.
The company says it does not monitor communication between incarcerated people and their attorneys, spiritual advisors or doctors.
$3 million: Louisiana Supreme Court building security
The court is receiving a blanket $1.8 million to upgrade security at its facility in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Another $1.1 million has been allocated specifically for additional fencing around the building.
$1.8 million: State police payment for the ‘recapture of fugitives’ The state’s top law enforcement agency is receiving $1.8 million for “expenses related to the recapture of fugitives.”
Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Centrist
The content presents a detailed and factual account of Louisiana’s legislative budget decisions without any overt editorializing or partisan language. It describes how funds are being allocated across various sectors such as infrastructure, economic development, technology upgrades, and public safety, reflecting a pragmatic approach to governance. The emphasis on bipartisan legislative approval and the inclusion of multiple perspectives and facts suggests a neutral stance aimed at informing readers rather than advocating a particular political viewpoint.
SUMMARY: This week’s Lafayette City and Parish Council agendas include proposed measures to allow UL Lafayette and SLCC student IDs as library cards to boost library use, and a \$100,000 increase for waterproofing the parish jail, where five undocumented workers were recently detained. The City Council will discuss drainage improvements after repeated flooding this spring. Other city matters include rezoning Ramsgate Townhouses and a permit for Five Mile Eatery’s new location, which faces some neighborhood opposition. Joint council items involve donating properties for affordable housing and a pocket park, as well as selecting The Daily Advertiser as the official journal of record.
SUMMARY: Tropical weather is quiet in the Atlantic, with disturbed weather centered over Central America and scattered storms in the Gulf and Caribbean. The Bermuda High remains strong, limiting activity in the Caribbean. In the Pacific, a new storm south of Mexico, Invest 94, is likely to become a named storm and could reach hurricane strength as it moves toward southern Mexico, possibly making landfall midweek near Acapulco. Warm waters and low wind shear support potential intensification. The Atlantic season remains delayed, with peak activity expected in August and September. Meanwhile, a significant heatwave will impact much of the eastern and central U.S. heading into summer’s start Friday.
Meteorologist Payton Malone has the latest update on the tropics for Monday, June 16.
