Related video: Updated test to show whether Tampa Bay restaurants sell local shrimp

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A follow-up to a prior study of shrimp sold at Tampa Bay restaurants showed slow changes to the practice of serving local caught, wild Gulf shrimp.

Back in January 2024, SeaD Consulting conducted genetic testing that found that 96% of 44 Tampa Bay restaurants were not serving locally caught shrimp. Instead, they were selling cheaper, imported shrimp.

At the time, Salt Shack on the Bay and Stillwater Tavern in St. Petersburg were the only restaurants found to be serving authentic local shrimp.

Earlier this month, SeaD Consulting went back to 22 of the sampled restaurants to see if any changes were made. This time, the authenticity rate went down by 10 percentage points to 86% percent

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