The swarming squat lobster, primarily referring to species like *Pleuroncodes planipes* (commonly known as the red squat lobster or langostilla), is a small, shrimp-like crustacean found in large aggregations along the Pacific coasts of Central and South America. These crustaceans play a significant ecological role as both prey and scavengers, and have become an important resource for commercial fisheries. The leading countries in harvesting swarming squat lobsters are Chile and Peru, where they are processed for human consumption (often as surimi or canned products) and as feed for aquaculture and poultry industries. Chile, in particular, has developed a robust fishery targeting *Pleuroncodes monodon*, another squat lobster species, making it one of the top global producers. The fisheries are highly regulated to ensure sustainability, given the species’ tendency to form dense swarms that can be efficiently harvested using specialized trawl nets. These fisheries contribute significantly to the local economies and export markets, especially in South America.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.