Basket stars, brittle stars, and snake stars are all members of the class Ophiuroidea, a group of echinoderms closely related to starfish, known for their long, flexible arms. These species are typically found in deep-sea and benthic environments worldwide, but are not a major target of commercial fisheries due to their delicate bodies and low meat yield. However, in some regions, particularly in parts of Asia such as Japan and China, brittle stars and related species are occasionally harvested for use in traditional medicine, aquarium trade, and as curiosities. The fishing industry for these species is small and often opportunistic, with most harvesting occurring as bycatch in trawl fisheries targeting other deep-sea species. Countries with active deep-sea trawl fleets, such as Japan, China, and some European nations (notably Spain and Norway), are the primary harvesters of these species, though the overall scale is minor compared to other marine resources. Conservation concerns exist due to habitat disruption from deep-sea trawling, which can damage brittle star populations and their fragile habitats.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States of America | 2 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.