The Western king prawn (Penaeus (Melicertus) latisulcatus) is a commercially valuable marine crustacean native to the Indo-West Pacific, especially abundant in the warm, shallow waters off Australia. Characterized by its translucent body and distinctive blue tail, this prawn is highly prized for its sweet, delicate flavor and firm texture. The leading country in the harvest of Western king prawns is Australia, particularly in the Spencer Gulf, Gulf St Vincent, and Shark Bay regions, where well-managed fisheries employ both trawling and sustainable practices to maintain healthy stocks. While smaller quantities are caught in neighboring countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, Australia dominates global production, exporting significant volumes to Asia and Europe. The Western king prawn fishery is a cornerstone of Australia's seafood industry, contributing substantially to local economies and setting benchmarks for sustainable prawn harvesting worldwide.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thailand | 492 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.