Feather stars and sea lilies, scientifically known as crinoids, are marine invertebrates rather than true fish, belonging to the class Crinoidea within the phylum Echinodermata. These delicate, feathery creatures inhabit both shallow and deep ocean waters worldwide, with sea lilies typically anchored to the seafloor and feather stars capable of limited movement. While crinoids are not a major target of commercial fisheries due to their fragile bodies and limited culinary value, they are occasionally collected for the aquarium trade, scientific research, and as curios. The harvesting of feather stars and sea lilies is most commonly reported in countries with rich coral reef ecosystems and active ornamental marine life industries, such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and occasionally Japan. These countries export crinoids primarily for decorative purposes rather than for food, and the trade is relatively small compared to other marine species. Conservation concerns exist due to habitat disturbance and over-collection in some regions, prompting calls for sustainable management and protection of these ancient and ecologically important animals.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.