King crabs (family Lithodidae) and stone crabs (family Menippidae and others) are prized for their sweet, succulent meat and are important components of the global shellfish industry. King crabs, particularly the red king crab (*Paralithodes camtschaticus*), are most famously harvested in the cold waters of the Bering Sea and North Pacific, with Russia and the United States (notably Alaska) being the leading producers. Norway has also become a significant harvester, especially after the species was introduced to the Barents Sea. Stone crabs, especially the Florida stone crab (*Menippe mercenaria*), are predominantly caught in the southeastern United States, with Florida being the main hub of this unique fishery, where only the claws are harvested and the crabs are returned to the sea to regenerate. Other countries, such as Canada, Japan, and some South American nations, also participate in the broader "not elsewhere included" category, targeting various related crab species for both domestic consumption and export. These fisheries are strictly managed to ensure sustainability, given the high demand and the ecological importance of these crustaceans.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand | 3 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.