Although Texas is not usually associated with seafood, this is among the major sectors in some of the coastal communities of Texas, Louisiana, and other states on the South Coast. Shrimp is the most important type of Texas seafood and is the most consumed seafood in the US. It is delicious and has numerous health benefits due to its high protein content. The majority of shrimp served in seafood restaurants or sold in grocery stores across the US comes from Texas. There are multiple wholesale seafood distributors on the South Coast. Although the commercial fishing industry in Texas is primarily focused on the different types of shrimp, wholesale seafood vendors from the South Coast also sell other seafood products. In this article, we’ll share more about the commercial fishing and Texas seafood distribution sectors.
Key takeaway: The Gulf of Mexico is rich in aquatic products. Shrimp is the most important seafood harvested near the shores of Texas. It is considered to be the most popular seafood in the US and is used in various recipes for appetizers and main dishes.
The Texas Seafood and Fishing Industry
Galveston is one of the major cities in the commercial fishing industry of Texas. In addition to being an important port for seafood products, the city is where various institutions and company headquarters are located. The ports of Brownsville and Port Isabel are also important for the commercial fishing industry in the state.
Texas cuisine is known for barbecue and dishes with beef and seafood products are not commonly found in Texas dishes. However, there are multiple restaurants that specialize in seafood in Texas and the whole South Coast. From surf and turf to shrimp and grits, these establishments serve a variety of beloved seafood dishes.
Types of Seafood in the Gulf of Mexico
As we already mentioned, shrimp is the most popular type of seafood caught near the shores of Texas. However, let’s elaborate a bit more and check out the other fish and shellfish caught in this region.
- Shrimp. The brown shrimp is the most popular type of shellfish. White and pink shrimp are also caught in the area. They can be used in various seasonal seafood dishes and appetizers. Institutions in the commercial fishing sector sometimes ban shrimping temporarily in order to allow shrimp to grow in size and increase in value.
- Oysters. Although Massachusetts and the New England region are known for their oysters, they are also caught near the shores of Texas. They can be used as an ingredient in chowders and dishes or eaten raw on the half shell.
- Stone crabs. The delicious meat in the claws of stone crabs is why they are among the harvested species by the Texas seafood industry. What’s interesting about them is that they have the ability to regrow their claws. That’s why they are returned to the water after their claws have been harvested.
Blue crab is also one of the important seafood species caught near the South Coast. - Red snapper. This fish is known not only for its red color but also for its distinctive nutty and sweet flavor. It can be used in fish tacos, ceviche, or grilled. The vermilion snapper is another similar species that is caught in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Grouper. There are various different grouper species found in the Gulf of Mexico. Yellowedge, warsaw, gag, black, snowy, and speckled hind are among the most common ones. They are used in stews, sandwiches, or served as grilled dishes.
Top South Coast and Texas Seafood Suppliers
Seafood Supply Company
Established more than 50 years ago, this Texas wholesale seafood vendor partners with restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses that need a reliable distributor in the seafood industry. They do deliveries in the Texas area and also ship products to other states.
Seafood Wholesalers
The company is proud of its environmental conservation efforts and policies. When choosing partners, they check whether they follow seafood sustainability standards like MSC, ASC, and the Seafood Watch. As a company based in Texas, they offer various types of shrimp, oysters, and other seafood products that are harvested in the Gulf of Mexico. They also offer other specialty products such as alligator meat, frog legs, and crawfish.
Gulf Coast Seafood – Florida
They are a seafood processor and distributor based in Gulfport, Florida. They use chemical-free ozonated water and vacuum packaging to eliminate any chance of contamination. From live lobsters and local shrimp to fresh fish filet and whole fish, they offer a wide range of products to their customers.
Seafood Wholesalers from Louisiana
States that have well-developed commercial fishing industries aim to support their local seafood distributors. The Louisiana Direct Seafood is such an initiative. It helps local fishermen with the marketing of their products. On their website, you can find various wholesalers of local seafood products. Some of these seafood vendors specialize in locally-harvested products like crawfish and shrimp while others also offer products from other regions of the South Coast and the country.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Texas Seafood Industry
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How Big is the Texas Seafood Industry?
It’s hard to estimate the exact size of the Texas seafood industry. According to some research, its annual size is more than 200 million USD. However, the revenue of the industry depends on various factors such as the supply and demand of shrimp and other popular seafood products harvested in the area. Galveston is the most important commercial fishing port in the region. As a percentage of the whole Texas economy, commercial fishing doesn’t have a significant impact. However, the fishing sector has helped the coastal regions by creating thousands of jobs and generating billions of revenue throughout the years.
What Are the Trends in the Gulf of Mexico Seafood Industry?
Like in other regions of the world, the biggest trend in the Gulf of Mexico and Texas seafood industry is sustainability. Commercial fishing has the potential to seriously disrupt the ecosystems in the area. That’s why there are various regulations and measures that target fishery management.
The Gulf of Mexico and Texas seafood industries have seen an increase in revenue and profit in the last decade. That’s because a growing number of people understand the health benefits of seafood. Furthermore, as shrimp is the most popular seafood in the US, this has helped create thousands of jobs and generate millions of dollars in revenue for local businesses.
What Other US States Are Known for Their Seafood Industry?
Although the Texas seafood industry is well-developed thanks to the diverse aquatic products in the Gulf of Mexico, it is not the biggest seafood state in the US. The Alaska seafood production is the largest in the country. The Massachusetts seafood industry is also well-known. In fact, the port of New Bedford in Massachusetts is the largest in the country by value of the commercial fishing products there. The New England region is known for the commercial fishing of scallops, lobsters, oysters, and clams. On the other hand, the commercial fishing industry of Alaska is responsible for the majority of salmon on the US market.