The global rise of crustacean fisheries

Abstract

Globally, wild decapod crustacean fisheries are growing faster than fisheries of any other major group, yet little attention has been given to the benefits, costs, and risks of this shift. We examined more than 60 years of global fisheries landings data to evaluate the socioeconomic and ecological implications of the compositional change in global fisheries, and propose that direct and indirect anthropogenic alterations and enhancements to ecosystems continue to benefit crustaceans. Crustaceans are among the most valuable seafood, but provide low nutritional yields and drive 94% of the projected increase of global fishery carbon emissions, due to low capture efficiency. Unequivocally, the increasing global demand for luxury seafood comes with serious environmental costs, but also appears to offer lucrative fishing opportunities. The potential for more prosperous fisheries carries unevaluated risks, highlighting the need for a nuanced perspective on global fisheries trade-offs. Addressing this unique suite of trade-offs will require substantive changes in both science and management.