The Brief
- The Versaggi family has been a pillar of the Tampa shrimping industry for over a century, with four generations now dedicated to the business.
- The family business, which once had a fleet of 55 vessels, has shrunk to just five due to rising costs and competition from imported shrimp.
- The current and next-generation leaders are fighting to keep the business afloat by focusing on the superior quality of their wild-caught shrimp.
TAMPA – The story of the Versaggi family and the Tampa shrimp docks is one of deep-rooted history and unwavering dedication.
It began in 1912 when Salvatore Versaggi, the great-grandfather of current leader Justin Versaggi, started shrimping in the waters around Florida. The business grew from one generation to the next, becoming a source of livelihood and pride. Salvatore’s son and his brothers, the second generation, helped build the fleet and develop new markets for their shrimp.
Today, the third generation—Justin’s father John and uncles Sal and Fred—are still actively involved.
For Sal Versaggi, who has been around the docks since he was a kid, the work is “in the blood.” He saw how the industry provided a decent living for families and never wanted to see it disappear.
Justin, a fourth-generation Versaggi, took a more winding path to the docks. After 11 years in the corporate world, he returned to the family business in 2018. He felt a strong pull to continue the legacy, knowing that once an industry like this disappears, it’s gone for good.…