Imported shrimp laws not enforced, but change is underway
A law requiring businesses to tell customers their shrimp is imported was violated locally nearly 100 times in a three-year period, officials said.
However, interviews with state and local officials indicate that the law has few, if any, clear enforcement provisions.
"That's the problem, you essentially have no law enforcement agency that is being the one that would be responsible for handing out the summons or citations," Terrebonne Parish Assistant District Attorney Chris Erny said. "How can we prosecute something we are not even aware of?"
Attempts have been made to correct the situation, but industry representatives say that confusion persists.
A 2019 state law says the public has a "right to know" whether shrimp or crawfish are imported. Louisiana Department of Health Inspectors documented more than 2,600 infractions statewide since that law's establishment, with 96 in Terrebonne and Lafourche from 2019 through 2022. Some of these violations were found to persist in follow-up inspections, and no fines were imposed.
State law says that restaurants and other businesses selling cooked or prepared shrimp or crawfish that originate outside of the United States must have signage with wording, no smaller than that of the sale, informing the public that it is imported.
Violators included three Rouses locations, two Canatas locations, Off The Hook, Walk-On's, several Mexican restaurants, the Nicholls State University cafeteria, the LUMCOM cafeteria, and numerous gas stations and sushi restaurants. For a full list, read below.
Roughly two weeks ago, the Louisiana Department of Health used emergency powers to change its rules regarding signage enforcement, giving health inspectors a bit more power.
"It will have some teeth now," processor and Shrimp Task Force member Andy Gibson said.
The Louisiana Department of Health is tasked with ensuring the law is followed, and department spokesman Kevin Litten said this is easy for inspectors to carry out because they already are checking other health code laws. As inspectors make their rounds, he said, it's relatively simple to ensure the signage exists.
Health code violations fall into two categories, he explained, critical and non-critical. Signage once fell under the non-critical category, and the change in the law shifts it to a more serious infraction. If a single critical violation, or multiple non-critical violations, is found, the department can issue a $150 fee to the business owner for a reinspection. With signage now changed to a critical violation, the fee can be imposed specifically for lacking signage.
Findings are posted to the Health Department website but not directly reported to any other agency. The department shares its findings upon request, Litten said.
Shrimp processor David Chauvin said the change is a step in the right direction. He expressed concern about restaurants that buy both imported and local shrimp and misrepresent to customers which of the two they are being served.
"It's deceptive," he said. "I've been in many restaurants that have pictures of shrimp boats and trawl nets and different decorations that would make you believe you are eating local. You believe you are eating domestic, and more than likely you are probably eating imports."
A separate law would apply, but that law is not being enforced. Created in 2008, it tasked the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries with the enforcement and fining of any restaurant owner or manager who misrepresents the imported crustaceans. The first offense is $50, second is $200, and third is $500.
However, the task of enforcing this law was shifted to the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in 2013, which lacks an enforcement arm.
When asked if the law was being enforced by the department, a spokesperson with the Lieutenant Governor's Office responded via email stating that responsibility for enforcement was placed on local district attorneys.
Prosecutors from Terrebonne and Lafourche say this is incorrect. They say the law gives them authority to prosecute, not enforce.
David Melancon, spokesman for the Lafourche Parish District Attorney's Office, said the office doesn't actively seek out violators. Law enforcement agencies bring their findings to prosecutors for review, who decide what charges, if any, apply.
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Similarly, Erny said, he has been at the office since 2003, and he had never seen anyone cited for a violation of either of the two shrimp and crawfish statutes.
He looked over both laws as he spoke by phone and said that, at a glance, the Department of Health's law appeared civil rather than criminal. It was unclear, he said, whether the law imposing fines is criminal or civil. He stressed he was not giving a legal opinion.
"It's just a poorly written law," he said.
Inspection Date | Inspection Purpose | Permit Name | Permit Number | Address | Parish |
9/13/2019 | Follow-up | BIRDIES FOOD & FUEL #19 Deli | 55-0091206-2 | 301 HIGHWAY 20SCHRIEVER, LA 70395 | Terrebonne |
12/9/2019 | Follow-up | BIRDIES FOOD & FUEL #19 Deli | 55-0091206-2 | 301 HIGHWAY 20SCHRIEVER, LA 70395 | Terrebonne |
7/7/2020 | Routine/Renewal | LA PALMA RESTAURANT | 29-0087886-1 | 710 SAINT MARY STTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
11/20/2020 | Routine/Renewal | LA PALMA RESTAURANT | 29-0087886-1 | 710 SAINT MARY STTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
11/24/2020 | Follow-up | LA PALMA RESTAURANT | 29-0087886-1 | 710 SAINT MARY STTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
10/25/2019 | Follow-up | BOUDREAUX'S RESTAURANT KITCHEN | 29-0001054-1 | 507 HIGHWAY 20THIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
3/17/2020 | Routine/Renewal | CAJUN POTATO KITCHEN KITCHEN | 29-0002200-1 | 1127 AUDUBON DRTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
3/17/2020 | Routine/Renewal | CAJUN POTATO KITCHEN KITCHEN | 29-0002200-1 | 1127 AUDUBON DRTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
9/17/2020 | Follow-up | KYOTO STEAKHOUSE AND SUSHI BAR SUSHI AND HIBACHI | 29-0092922-1 | 4546 HWY 1RACELAND, LA 70394 | Lafourche |
11/5/2020 | Routine/Renewal | KAMPACHI JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE Restaurant | 29-0094736-2 | 418 N CANAL BLVDTHIBODAUX , LA 70301 | Lafourche |
7/20/2022 | Complaint | OCEAN STAR SUPER BUFFET | 55-0000013 | 6451 WEST PARK AVEHOUMA, LA 70364 | Terrebonne |
9/24/2019 | Follow-up | CARLA GHERE'S SEAFOOD, LLC | 29-0000150 | 2514 BAYOU BLUE RD.HOUMA, LA 70364 | Lafourche |
3/4/2020 | Routine/Renewal | DBA SUSHI WITH GUSTO (Sushi Counter Inside Cannata's) | 55-0081960-1 | 6307 W PARK AVEHOUMA, LA 70364 | Terrebonne |
11/16/2021 | Follow-up | OSAKA JAPANESE CUISINE Restaurant | 55-0058424-1 | 1867 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVDHOUMA, LA 70360 | Terrebonne |
7/20/2022 | Routine/Renewal | OCEAN STAR SUPER BUFFET | 55-0000013 | 6451 WEST PARK AVEHOUMA, LA 70364 | Terrebonne |
3/20/2020 | Follow-up | JINSAN SUSHI - KITCHEN | 29-0000156 | 211 HWY. 3162GALLIANO, LA 70354 | Lafourche |
5/18/2020 | Routine/Renewal | KYOTO STEAKHOUSE AND SUSHI BAR SUSHI AND HIBACHI | 29-0092922-1 | 4546 HWY 1RACELAND, LA 70394 | Lafourche |
7/8/2020 | Follow-up | LA PALMA RESTAURANT | 29-0087886-1 | 710 SAINT MARY STTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
9/9/2020 | Routine/Renewal | KYOTO STEAKHOUSE AND SUSHI BAR SUSHI AND HIBACHI | 29-0092922-1 | 4546 HWY 1RACELAND, LA 70394 | Lafourche |
3/8/2021 | Routine/Renewal | KAMPACHI JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE Restaurant | 29-0094736-2 | 418 N CANAL BLVDTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
10/10/2019 | Routine/Renewal | ATHENOS(RESTAURANT) | 55-0000291 | 6285 WEST PARK AVEHOUMA, LA 70364 | Terrebonne |
9/23/2019 | Routine/Renewal | EL PASO RESTAURANT | 29-0092116-1 | 16273 E MAIN STCUT OFF, LA 70345 | Lafourche |
9/13/2019 | Follow-up | BYPASS FIESTA GRILL RESTAURANT | 29-0094586-1 | 1818 HIGHWAY 3185THIBODAUX , LA 70301 | Lafourche |
10/24/2022 | Routine/Renewal | LUMCON Cafeteria | 55-0001508-1 | 8124 HWY 56CHAUVIN, LA 70344 | Terrebonne |
11/9/2021 | Routine/Renewal | OSAKA JAPANESE CUISINE Restaurant | 55-0058424-1 | 1867 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVDHOUMA, LA 70360 | Terrebonne |
1/22/2020 | Routine/Renewal | TOKYO Full Scale Restaurant | 55-0090799-1 | 5953 W PARK AVE STE 1023HOUMA, LA 70364 | Terrebonne |
1/24/2020 | Follow-up | BYPASS FIESTA GRILL RESTAURANT | 29-0094586-1 | 1818 HIGHWAY 3185THIBODAUX , LA 70301 | Lafourche |
12/6/2019 | Routine/Renewal | JINSAN SUSHI - KITCHEN | 29-0000156 | 211 HWY. 3162GALLIANO, LA 70354 | Lafourche |
10/8/2019 | Routine/Renewal | GOURMET HOUSE Restaurant | 55-0075929-1 | 1463 SAINT CHARLES ST STE 100HOUMA, LA 70360 | Terrebonne |
10/1/2019 | Routine/Renewal | TEXAS ROADHOUSE Restaurant | 55-0089551-2 | 1642 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVDHOUMA, LA 70360 | Terrebonne |
12/21/2020 | Routine/Renewal | DOO'S SEAFOOD AND DELI (DELI) | 55-0000379 | 7481 PARK AVEHOUMA, LA 70364 | Terrebonne |
1/14/2020 | Routine/Renewal | Rouses Market #82 - DELI/BAKERY | 29-0000252 | 2113 S ALEX PLAISANCE BLVDGOLDEN MEADOW, LA 70357 | Lafourche |
9/18/2019 | Routine/Renewal | CANNATA'S SUPERMARKET Deli | 55-0001091-4 | 6307 W PARK AVEHOUMA, LA 70364 | Terrebonne |
10/21/2019 | Routine/Renewal | SICILY'S ULTIMATE ITALIAN BUFFET Fast Food Restaurant | 55-0081369-1 | 1539 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD STE 107HOUMA, LA 70360 | Terrebonne |
12/11/2019 | Routine/Renewal | CHINA GARDENS II KITCHEN | 29-0040228-1 | 610 N CANAL BLVDTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
3/17/2020 | Routine/Renewal | JINSAN SUSHI - KITCHEN | 29-0000156 | 211 HWY. 3162GALLIANO, LA 70354 | Lafourche |
2/10/2020 | Routine/Renewal | WALK-ON'S BISTREAUX & BAR Restaurant | 55-0093666-1 | 1795 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD STE AHOUMA, LA 70360 | Terrebonne |
1/23/2020 | Routine/Renewal | BYPASS FIESTA GRILL RESTAURANT | 29-0094586-1 | 1818 HIGHWAY 3185THIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
10/11/2019 | Routine/Renewal | BOUDREAUX'S RESTAURANT KITCHEN | 29-0001054-1 | 507 HIGHWAY 20THIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
10/24/2019 | Routine/Renewal | CASH MAGIC RACELAND KITCHEN | 29-0002156-1 | 109 S SERVICES RD STE A&BRACELAND, LA 70394 | Lafourche |
10/18/2019 | Routine/Renewal | TAQUERIA MAGNOLIA Restaurant | 55-0085487-1 | 1974 PROSPECT BLVDHOUMA, LA 70363 | Terrebonne |
2/5/2020 | Routine/Renewal | SODEXHO OPERATIONS Cafeteria | 29-0001714-1 | 906 E FIRST STTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
1/9/2020 | Routine/Renewal | WAL-MART SUPERCENTER 1016 DELI | 29-0002115-1 | 410 N CANAL BLVDTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
10/14/2019 | Routine/Renewal | GRAND BUFFET RESTAURANT | 55-0000048 | 1779 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD STE 200HOUMA, LA 70360 | Terrebonne |
11/1/2019 | Routine/Renewal | THE BALCONY RESTAURANT | 29-0065164-1 | 13550 W MAINLAROSE, LA 70373 | Lafourche |
10/2/2019 | 2nd Re-inspection | BYPASS FIESTA GRILL RESTAURANT | 29-0094586-1 | 1818 HIGHWAY 3185THIBODAUX , LA 70301 | Lafourche |
12/17/2019 | Routine/Renewal | GEAUX FISH RESTAURANT KITCHEN | 29-0000096 | 16261 E MAIN ST.CUT OFF, LA 70345 | Lafourche |
10/31/2019 | Routine/Renewal | J LIN'S BUFFET, INC KITCHEN | 29-0094804-1 | 404 N CANAL BLVD STE ITHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
6/22/2020 | Routine/Renewal | KAMPACHI JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE Restaurant | 29-0094736-2 | 418 N CANAL BLVDTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
3/3/2020 | Routine/Renewal | CASH MAGIC THIBODAUX Restaurant | 55-0002815-1 | 213 W PARK AVE STE BTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Terrebonne |
2/11/2020 | Routine/Renewal | AFC SUSHI @ ROUSES #24 SUSHI BAR | 29-0076102-1 | 1428 CRESCENT AVELOCKPORT, LA 70374 | Lafourche |
12/20/2019 | Follow-up | SANTA FE CATTLE COMPANY Restaurant | 29-0082089-1 | 632 N CANAL BLVDTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
2/18/2020 | Routine/Renewal | FORMOSA GARDENS Restaurant | 29-0069882-1 | 4560 HIGHWAY 1RACELAND, LA 70394 | Lafourche |
1/31/2020 | Routine/Renewal | KYOTO STEAKHOUSE AND SUSHI BAR SUSHI AND HIBACHI | 29-0092922-1 | 4546 HWY 1RACELAND, LA 70394 | Lafourche |
11/15/2019 | Routine/Renewal | MISS MAGGIES (RESTAURANT) | 55-0000435 | 1400 WEST TUNNEL BLVD STE AHOUMA, LA 70360 | Terrebonne |
1/27/2020 | 2nd Re-inspection | SANTA FE CATTLE COMPANY Restaurant | 29-0082089-1 | 632 N CANAL BLVDTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
10/1/2019 | Complaint | TEXAS ROADHOUSE Restaurant | 55-0089551-2 | 1642 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVDHOUMA, LA 70360 | Terrebonne |
11/18/2019 | Routine/Renewal | NEW CHINA (RESTAURANT) | 55-0000270 | 1942 PROSPECT BLVDHOUMA, LA 70363 | Terrebonne |
12/16/2019 | Routine/Renewal | OCEAN STAR SUPER BUFFET | 55-0000013 | 6451 WEST PARK AVEHOUMA, LA 70364 | Terrebonne |
9/23/2019 | Routine/Renewal | AFC SUSHI @ ROUSE'S MARKET #81 | 29-0090664-1 | 13086 HIGHWAY 3235LAROSE, LA 70373 | Lafourche |
12/20/2019 | Follow-up | PREMIER CATERING & EVENTS INC RESTAURANT | 29-0071400-1 | 900 COUNTRY CLUB BLVDTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
12/10/2019 | 2nd Re-inspection | JINSAN SUSHI - KITCHEN | 29-0000156 | 211 HWY. 3162GALLIANO, LA 70354 | Lafourche |
9/9/2022 | Routine/Renewal | LA TERRAZA | 29-0000523 | 610 VACHERIE STLOCKPORT, LA 70374 | Lafourche |
9/24/2019 | Routine/Renewal | CAJUN POTATO KITCHEN KITCHEN | 29-0002200-1 | 1127 AUDUBON DRTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
10/11/2019 | Routine/Renewal | NOCKO'S DELI Short Order | 29-0057664-1 | 1530 HIGHWAY 20 STE ATHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
12/9/2019 | Follow-up | JINSAN SUSHI - KITCHEN | 29-0000156 | 211 HWY. 3162GALLIANO, LA 70354 | Lafourche |
9/30/2019 | Follow-up | EL PASO RESTAURANT | 29-0092116-1 | 16273 E MAIN STCUT OFF, LA 70345 | Lafourche |
9/10/2019 | Routine/Renewal | BYPASS FIESTA GRILL RESTAURANT | 29-0094586-1 | 1818 HIGHWAY 3185THIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
12/18/2019 | Routine/Renewal | SANTA FE CATTLE COMPANY Restaurant | 29-0082089-1 | 632 N CANAL BLVDTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
12/4/2019 | Routine/Renewal | EL PASO MEXICAN GRILL RESTAURANT | 29-0083249-1 | 4560 HIGHWAY 1 STE ARACELAND, LA 70394 | Lafourche |
12/13/2019 | Follow-up | GRIFFIN'S LOUISIANA GRILLE RESTAURANT | 29-0084330-1 | 523 SAINT MARY ST STE ATHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
8/11/2022 | Routine/Renewal | POKE GEAUX (RESTAURANT) | 55-0000348 | 1753 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD STE 130HOUMA, LA 70360 | Terrebonne |
12/18/2019 | Routine/Renewal | PREMIER CATERING & EVENTS INC RESTAURANT | 29-0071400-1 | 900 COUNTRY CLUB BLVDTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
3/17/2020 | Routine/Renewal | GEAUX FISH RESTAURANT | 29-0087092-1 | 1129 AUDUBON AVETHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
11/29/2022 | Routine/Renewal | 1921 SEAFOOD Restaurant | 55-0001002-1 | 1522 BARROW STHOUMA, LA 70360 | Terrebonne |
2/27/2020 | Routine/Renewal | GOURMET HOUSE(RESTAURANT) | 55-0000256 | 1608 PROSPECT BLVDHOUMA, LA 70363 | Terrebonne |
9/16/2020 | Routine/Renewal | MAMA'S KITCHEN | 29-0000212 | 107 E 93RD STCUT OFF, LA 70345 | Lafourche |
9/20/2019 | Routine/Renewal | DOUBLE HILL BAR & GRILL RESTAURANT | 55-0000120 | 9892 E MAIN STHOUMA, LA 70363 | Terrebonne |
11/17/2022 | Routine/Renewal | HOOTERS RESTAURANT Restaurant | 55-0071657-1 | 1619 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVDHOUMA, LA 70360 | Terrebonne |
10/9/2019 | Routine/Renewal | OFF THE HOOK FAST FOOD RESTAURANT | 29-0089004-1 | 604 N CANAL BLVDTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
1/7/2020 | Routine/Renewal | MAMA'S KITCHEN | 29-0000212 | 107 E 93RD STCUT OFF, LA 70345 | Lafourche |
12/10/2019 | Opening | Thibodaux Express - DELI | 29-0000373 | 2528 TALBOT AVETHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
5/5/2021 | Routine/Renewal | CHINA GARDENS II KITCHEN | 29-0040228-1 | 610 N CANAL BLVDTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
3/19/2020 | Follow-up | LA PALMA RESTAURANT | 29-0087886-1 | 710 SAINT MARY STTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
10/21/2019 | Routine/Renewal | FORMOSA GARDENS Restaurant | 29-0069882-1 | 4560 HIGHWAY 1RACELAND, LA 70394 | Lafourche |
1/17/2020 | 2nd Re-inspection | GEAUX FISH RESTAURANT KITCHEN | 29-0000096 | 16261 E MAIN ST.CUT OFF, LA 70345 | Lafourche |
12/20/2019 | Follow-up | GEAUX FISH RESTAURANT KITCHEN | 29-0000096 | 16261 E MAIN ST.CUT OFF, LA 70345 | Lafourche |
3/10/2021 | Routine/Renewal | J LIN'S BUFFET, INC KITCHEN | 29-0094804-1 | 404 N CANAL BLVD STE ITHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
12/10/2019 | Routine/Renewal | GRIFFIN'S LOUISIANA GRILLE RESTAURANT | 29-0084330-1 | 523 SAINT MARY ST STE ATHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
10/14/2019 | Follow-up | NOCKO'S DELI Short Order | 29-0057664-1 | 1530 HIGHWAY 20 STE ATHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
9/20/2019 | Routine/Renewal | CARLA GHERE'S SEAFOOD, LLC | 29-0000150 | 2514 BAYOU BLUE RD.HOUMA, LA 70364 | Lafourche |
12/6/2019 | Preliminary | Thibodaux Express - DELI | 29-0000373 | 2528 TALBOT AVETHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
2/5/2020 | Routine/Renewal | SODEXHO OPERATIONS Student Union | 29-0001714-2 | 906 E FIRST STTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
9/23/2019 | Follow-up | DOUBLE HILL BAR & GRILL RESTAURANT | 55-0000120 | 9892 E MAIN STHOUMA, LA 70363 | Terrebonne |
6/11/2020 | Routine/Renewal | J LIN'S BUFFET, INC KITCHEN | 29-0094804-1 | 404 N CANAL BLVD STE ITHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
3/18/2020 | Routine/Renewal | LA PALMA RESTAURANT | 29-0087886-1 | 710 SAINT MARY STTHIBODAUX, LA 70301 | Lafourche |
This article originally appeared on The Courier: Imported shrimp laws not enforced, but change is underway
