In addressing the seventh annual meeting of what is now the World Aquaculture Society, Michael New challenged members interested in crustacean nutrition to develop standardized methods so that “direct, quantitative comparison of dietary trials carried out by different groups of research workers could be achieved”. Later that year, the Society's President, Harold Webber, established the Nutrition Task Force to meet that challenge. The evolution of this task force into the International Working Group on Crustacean Nutrition is described. The original objectives of the task force were to develop open formula reference diets, to recommend standard conduct and reporting procedures, to provide for informational exchange, and to coordinate the Society's role in the nutritional sciences. The rationale for each of these objectives is examined and progress made toward achieving each is evaluated in light of changes that were occurring in the crustacean aquaculture industry. The present status of the International Working Group on Crustacean Nutrition is examined along with its intended transition to a formal organization. Suggestions also are made for future goals to enhance continued growth of the crustacean feed industry.