Gulf Shores, Ala. — (GSN) — October is a big month along coastal Alabama, not just because the weather finally starts to cool off. The Gulf provides some of the most productive fishing waters in the country, and the communities of Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Foley have built much of their identity around what comes from it. Seafood here is not just on a menu — it is part of the local economy, the culture, and daily life. Generations of families have worked the waters, and their work feeds both residents and visitors year-round.

October 1 through October 31 marks National Seafood Month, a designation by the U.S. Congress that recognizes seafood's importance in a healthy diet and honors the fishing and seafood industries. Congress passed the Fish and Seafood Promotion Act in 1986, which laid the groundwork for the observance, according to Days of Observance. The month aligns with the fall fishing season, when a wide range of species are active in Gulf waters.

Fall is one of the best times to enjoy fresh Gulf seafood, and with the Annual National Shrimp Festival about to take place, excitement along the coast is at its peak. Oyster season opens in October, and blue crab and shrimp are still being caught fresh. Fish such as amberjack, flounder, and grouper are also in season, according to Eat Alabama Seafood. The USDA recommends eating seafood at least twice a week for heart and brain health, and NOAA Fisheries notes that nearly 90 percent of Americans do not meet that target.

To help visitors and locals experience the best of the local culinary scene, food enthusiasts can explore curated guides featuring the top 10 seafood restaurants along the coast. These lists highlight local favorites and hidden gems alike, and diners can even cast their votes online to help crown their favorite spot for the ultimate Gulf seafood experience.

The Gulf Coast takes National Seafood Month seriously. The Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores draws more than 250,000 people each year, according to Eat Alabama Seafood. USA Today readers named it the fifth-best specialty food festival in the country for 2025.

Gulf shrimp, sometimes called "white gold," drives the local economy. Alabama ranks among the nation's top shrimp producers, and coastal families have worked in shrimping and fishing for generations. Local restaurants and seafood markets in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores feature fresh catches on their menus daily.

The U.S. seafood industry supports roughly 1.2 million jobs nationwide and generated $214 billion in 2014 alone, according to Days of Observance. NOAA Fisheries reports that more than 90 percent of U.S. fish stocks are not currently overfished, a sign that decades of management policy under the Magnuson-Stevens Act have made a difference.

Beyond the economic side, National Seafood Month promotes sustainability. Organizations such as the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council work to protect Gulf fisheries for future generations. Choosing seafood sourced from U.S. waters helps support those efforts.

For residents and visitors along Alabama's Gulf Coast, October is a natural time to eat local, eat fresh, and consider where the food on their plates comes from. Whether at a waterfront restaurant or a neighborhood seafood market, the options are as wide as the Gulf itself.