The rugose squat lobster (family Chirostylidae, notably species like Munida rugosa) is a small, crustacean found primarily in the Northeast Atlantic, including the waters off the coasts of the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain, and Portugal. Characterized by their flattened bodies, long claws, and reddish coloration, rugose squat lobsters inhabit rocky seabeds and continental shelf areas. While not as commercially significant as true lobsters or crabs, these squat lobsters are harvested as bycatch in deep-water trawl fisheries targeting species like hake and monkfish, particularly by Spain and France, which are among the top countries landing these crustaceans. In recent years, there has been growing interest in developing direct fisheries and culinary uses for squat lobsters, especially in southern Europe, where they are valued for their delicate flavor and used in seafood dishes and as bait in other fisheries.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 4 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.