Are Crustaceans In Danger?

Most crustaceans are not in danger. Most crustaceans are so small, numerous, and widely distributed that scientists are not concerned for their survival. There are plenty of most types of these small animals.

Crustaceans harvested for human consumption are a different story. However, commercial fishers, marine biologists, and environmentalists often disagree about the status of species that are harvested commercially for human consumption. They disagree about the reasons for the decline of these species in the wild.

One thing is certain, however—things have changed in the sea. The giant American lobsters that once were found in the waters of the Atlantic coast of the United States are no longer seen. The average size of a lobster caught today is about 1 pound (0.45 kilogram). In the past, 20-, 30-, and 40-pound (9-, 14-, and 18-kilogram) lobsters were common.