The detection and measurement of annual growth bands preserved in calcified structures underlies the assessment and management of exploited fish and invertebrates populations around the world. However, the estimation of growth, mortality and other age-structured processes in crustaceans has been severely limited by the apparent absence of permanent growth structures. Here, I review the application of the novel technique for the direct age determination in crustaceans. Besides the pilot study involving northern shrimp and snow crab, the method was applied successfully on other species such as the king crab in Alaska, squat lobster and nylon shrimp in Chile, Crayfish in Louisiana. The method has proved applicable in all species that were investigated. In the method, the detection of annual growth bands in calcified regions of two body structures in crustaceans was confirmed thus providing a direct method of age determination. Comparison of growth band counts with reliable, independent measures of age indicates that the bands form annually and provide an accurate indicator of age in all of the species examined. Chemically-labeled growth bands were retained through successive molts, as was one of the two body structures containing the growth bands. Growth band formation was not associated with molting or previously-documented lamellae in the endocuticle. Sex-specific growth curves were readily developed from growth band examination in multiple species, suggesting that routine measurement of growth and mortality in decapod crustaceans should now be possible.