Panulirus ornatus is fished for throughout its range, but in most places only on a small scale.
Taken mostly by hand by divers, or speared. Handnets are used also, but traps prove to be ineffective. Sold mostly fresh
or frozen in local markets. In the Philippines a minor export activity has developed. In Australia a commercial fishery
was developed since about 1966, it uses freezing installations ashore, as well as freezer boats; these operations cover
the Torres Strait area, as well as N.E. Queensland, with an annual catch of over 120 tons tail weight around 1986
(Channells et al., 1987). Mounted dry specimens (sometimes in glass cases) are sold to tourists in several areas (e.g., in
Thailand).